Tom Aspinall didn't hold back with fight prediction after tense impromptu face-off with Jon Jones

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall shared a tense exchange during an apparent impromptu face-to-face meeting - before the British interim title holder made a confident prediction about a fight between the pair.

The pair have regularly traded insults on social media over recent years as fans wait for an eagerly-anticipated UFC fight between them.

In January, Aspinall posted a video on TikTok which showed him virtually 'ageing' as he waited for the fight to be announced.

But Jones wasn't having it, and hit back on Twitter: "Only four recognisable opponents, and already the king of England, must be nice. There will be legendary tales told about you and your infamous call outs."

'Bones' then responded to a fan who claimed that Aspinall had every right to be 'frustrated' at not getting the fight.

I mean, it doesn’t really work like that. I was a champion when I was 23 years old, you can’t show up at age 30 pretending like you’ve been chasing me your whole life. I have no clue who 90% of his résumé is, meanwhile, I’ve been highlighting UFC events my entire career. https://t.co/aJdJT8UpGm

— BONY (@JonnyBones) January 9, 2024

Aspinall is currently the Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, having captured the belt by beating Sergei Pavlovich via a first round knockout at UFC 295 in November.

That match was forced to be scheduled at short notice by UFC president Dana White due to Jones suffering an injury just days before his planned heavyweight title fight against Stipe Miocic.

It seems inevitable, therefore, that Aspinall and current UFC Heavyweight Champion Jones will compete for the belt when both fighters are fully fit - and they have now had a chance meet-up.

The meeting starts with Aspinall promising he just wanted to say 'hello' to Jones, before placing his hand on his rival's shoulder.

Full conversation between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones removed Aspinall’s arm from his shoulder when he tried to touch him 👀 pic.twitter.com/AeLRwQQBef

— OOC MMA (@oocmma) March 16, 2024

But the current heavyweight champion brushed his hand away, before replying "I would hope so" to Aspinall's inaudible remark. The pair then shake hands.

In a video posted on his TikTok channel after the exchange, Aspinall said: "We're not going to start fighting at an event, are we? Well, I hope not!

"He's nowhere near as big as I thought. I thought he was a lot taller. When you're fighting light heavyweights your whole career, and you're six feet tall, you look really tall.

Tom Aspinall says that Jon Jones was “nowhere near as big” as he thought and that he can take him 👀#UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/hAw1xRP6tr

— FightCrack (@FightCrack) March 16, 2024

"I'm a full grown heavyweight, aren't I? There's no chance he's as big as me. Size doesn't matter really, because we're both massive guys.

"I'd take him on - I think I'd beat him definitely."