This week, the focus is on the UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who is not even set to fight at UFC 309 on Saturday. AROUND the prospect of such a fight, Aspinall and Jones are still the holders of the unified heavyweight champion title. Many fans are wondering whether Tom Aspinall, instead of Miocic, should be the one standing opposite Jones given that the latter is set to defend his title against Stipe Miocic at the Madison Square Garden. A title unification fight involving Aspinall and Jones has now been turned into one of the most talked-about subjects in the UFC.
Tom Aspinall’s rise and the link with Jon Jones
While Jon Jones dumped the division to make his way to the heavyweight, Tom Aspinall has gradually made his way to the division. After taking time off and relinquishing his light heavyweight belt, Jon Jones trained for a fight with Francis. Thus, at that period, Tom Aspinall started being scrutinized by Jon Jones’s team and the heavyweight division in general. Even then, the British fighter appeared as quite a different package, with the power, fluid takedown skills, and first-rate mobility in the division that was distinguished for the opposite. Aspinall’s combination of good footwork, strikes, and pressure has been a weapon that Jones and his team have tracked for quite some time.
It is Tom Aspinall who has recently emerged, and fans continue to debate who Jones should fight next against. The speculation has led some to question whether Jon Jones is purposely avoiding a fight with the interim champion. Tom Aspinall, with the increase in viewership and talent, is considered by many as the worthy adversary. However, Jones has sought to bring down Aspinall’s achievements to argue that the interim champion has not earned the chance to fight for a unification match. Nonetheless, there it is: while Aspinall doesn’t seem too concerned with the division and its heavy hitters, the rest of the MMA community most certainly is.
Jon Jones’ Camp Recognizes the Challenge Tom Aspinall Poses
Regardless of the words Jones has said in public, his team has no problem with recognizing Tom Aspinall’s potential as a dangerous opponent. Former head striking coach of Jones, Brandon Gibson, recently gave more updates on how they continue to study Aspinall’s skills. It was interesting to note that, from the devastating knocks as a toddler to his lightning submission skills, Aspinall can be seen as the type of significantly higher quality fighter that Jon Jones has not faced. Gibson insisted that Aspinall has been getting the focus of Jones’ team for quite some time because of his approach. Tom Aspinall’s speed, defense, and versatility are particularly effective as a fighter, for Jones, his team has been preparing for this possible opponent since Jones’s move to the HW division.
Conclusion
This has left many fans of Jon Jones hoping or rather looking forward to a fight with Aspinall as Jones prepares for his fight with Miocic. This fight has the potential to be a spectacular event given the fact that Tom Aspinall delivered when given a chance, and it is evident that the champion possesses skills to reign in a division.
This fight would connect not only the champion in the heavyweight division but also answer unclear questions about who is the best in this weight class. Tom Aspinall has been climbing the ranks steadily, and Jon Jones’s position in the heavyweight division is still questionable; as such, the signs are pointing to a clash. But people are eager for that day when two best, top-level fighters will step into the Octagon regardless of the year 2024.
