Is Jon Jones Ducking Tom Aspinall?
Is Jon Jones Ducking Tom Aspinall?
By Tim Burke November 08, 2024 15:11
One week away is the most significant heavyweight fight in UFC history between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. This legacy-defining fight has been highly controversial as interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is viewed by many as as the rightful undisputed heavyweight champion.
Jon Jones disagrees. In a recent interview, combat sports journalist Kevin Iole asked Jones if he’d defend his belt against Tom Aspinall following a win at UFC 309.
“More than likely not. I feel like Tom Aspinall, I don’t want to know say a nobody but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything.
Well, Tom Aspinall’s resume says otherwise. In nine fights with the UFC, Aspinall’s average fight time of 2 minutes and 2 seconds is the shortest of any fighter in UFC history. He is 8-1 in the UFC, his only loss is due to an injury that rendered him unable to continue. Aspinall has also beat more ranked heavyweights than the current champion Jon Jones. Yet Jones claims to view Pereira as a more significant challenge.
“If there were to be a fight with a guy still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira,” Jones told Iole. Jones elaborated on why a fight with Tom Aspinall does not entice him.
“ I remember a time when the whole world thought Johnny Walker was going to be the guy to beat me, and there was no disrespect to Johnny Walker, but I mean, we all have seen the way his career has played out. I’ve just been here too long to get all excited about someone who’s hot today.”
This has led to much criticism of Jones from MMA fans on social media. The suggestion is that he’s avoiding Tom Aspinall to protect his legacy. However, not everyone in the MMA community is convinced.
“I’m convinced Jon is just saying this stuff to rile people up. And it works. If all goes well for him next weekend, I think he fights Aspinall next year.” MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani posted on X.
Jon Jones is doing precisely what he needs to do to sell a potential fight with Tom Aspinall. Play the villain. First, he needs to beat Stipe Miocic. Jones is the 6 to 1 favorite in this fight. It seems like a foregone conclusion Jones wins. But if he doesn’t, maybe Miocic fights Aspinall. We’ll get our answers next on November 16th.
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