As UFC 309 draws near, all eyes are on Jon Jones as he prepares to face the legendary Stipe Miocic in a highly anticipated heavyweight showdown. But recent comments and the ongoing debate around his choice of opponent have left many questioning one thing: Does fighting Miocic instead of the rising star Tom Aspinall hurt Jon Jones’ legacy?

The chatter around this topic has been heating up, with some fans suggesting that by opting to face Miocic—a former champion and all-time great—over Aspinall, Jones is avoiding the toughest challenge in the division. There are even those who claim that this move could tarnish Jones’ legacy. So, is it true? Is Jon Jones’ legacy somehow “ruined” by choosing Stipe Miocic instead of Tom Aspinall? Let’s break it down.

Jon Jones: The Greatest of All Time?

First, let’s take a step back and look at Jon Jones’ career in context. As of now, Jon Jones is widely considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. He became the youngest UFC champion in history at just 23 years old, and since then, his reign in the light heavyweight division has been nothing short of historic.

Jones holds the record for the most successful title defenses in UFC light heavyweight history (8), the most title fight victories (15), and the longest title reign (1,500 days). He’s beaten some of the best fighters of his generation—Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and others—solidifying his dominance in the sport. But it’s not just the numbers that make Jon Jones a legend; it’s his ability to overcome adversity, his innovative fighting style, and the aura of invincibility he’s carried for most of his career.

Moving to Heavyweight: A New Chapter

After a long-awaited move to heavyweight, Jones made his debut in the division in March 2023, and he did so in spectacular fashion, submitting Ciryl Gane in just over two minutes to capture the UFC heavyweight title. This victory was seen by many as the final stamp on his legacy as the greatest fighter in UFC history. Jones was already a two-time light heavyweight champion and the longest-reigning 205-pound king in history, but becoming a champion in two divisions made him the eighth fighter to ever hold titles in two weight classes, further cementing his place as a GOAT.

Why Fight Stipe Miocic?

When news broke that Jon Jones’ next opponent at UFC 309 would be the legendary Stipe Miocic, it sent shockwaves through the MMA community. Miocic is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. With three successful title defenses, a record of 20 UFC wins, and victories over top names like Fabricio Werdum, Junior dos Santos, and Daniel Cormier, Miocic has earned his place as the “baddest man on the planet.”

But here’s where the debate starts to unfold: Some fans believe that by picking Miocic over the up-and-coming Tom Aspinall, Jones is avoiding the toughest test in the division. Aspinall is young, explosive, and undefeated in the UFC. He’s been viewed by many as the future of the heavyweight division, and some argue that a fight between Jones and Aspinall is what the fans really want to see.

However, this line of thinking ignores some important aspects of Jon Jones’ career, his legacy, and the strategic decisions fighters make late in their careers.

The Legacy Argument: Is Jones “Ducking” Aspinall?

The idea that Jon Jones is “ducking” Tom Aspinall doesn’t really hold water when you look at the big picture. Yes, Aspinall is an exciting prospect, and he may very well be the future of the heavyweight division. But Jones’ legacy was already secure before he ever stepped into the octagon with Gane. Every fight from here on out, including his bout with Miocic, is just an additional chapter in an already remarkable story.

To suggest that Jones’ legacy is somehow at risk because of his decision to face Miocic over Aspinall is, frankly, ridiculous. Jones has already achieved everything there is to achieve in the sport. He became the youngest champion in UFC history, he has multiple title defenses, and he’s moved up to heavyweight, where he quickly dismantled one of the top contenders in Gane. What’s more, he has already beaten some of the toughest fighters in the sport.

In a way, choosing Miocic over Aspinall could be seen as a smart decision for a fighter looking to solidify his legacy. Miocic is a proven legend, and a win over him would only add another impressive name to Jon Jones’ résumé. Aspinall, on the other hand, is still in the process of building his career, and while his potential is undeniable, beating him does not offer the same legacy-defining significance that Miocic does.

Comparing Jones to Other Sports Legends

Let’s use some analogies from other sports to further make our point. Think of Tom Brady in the NFL. Before moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and winning a Super Bowl with them, Brady already had six championships and was considered the greatest quarterback of all time. Had Brady gone to Tampa Bay and failed to win another Super Bowl, it wouldn’t have damaged his legacy as the greatest ever. The same is true for Michael Jordan in the NBA. Even after his second retirement and stint with the Washington Wizards, no one doubted his place as the greatest basketball player of all time.

In the same vein, Jon Jones is already the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. Whether he beats Tom Aspinall, Stipe Miocic, or anyone else, his legacy is secure. Every fight from here on out is just an opportunity to further solidify his place at the top of the mountain.

Does It Really Matter Who Jones Fights?

The bottom line is that Jon Jones is past his prime. He’s still a dominant force in the sport, but at 36 years old, he’s not the same fighter he was a decade ago. Aspinall, on the other hand, is in his physical prime, and a fight between him and Jones could very well go the way of the younger, faster Aspinall. But that’s the nature of sports—no one can stay at the top forever. The question is whether or not one fight, or even one loss, diminishes everything Jones has already accomplished in his career.

The answer: Absolutely not. Jon Jones has done it all. His move to heavyweight, his quick submission of Ciryl Gane, and his list of historic accomplishments will never be overshadowed by the fact that he chose to face Miocic instead of Aspinall.

Conclusion: Jon Jones’ Legacy Is Safe

Is Jon Jones’ legacy ruined because he’s fighting Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 instead of Tom Aspinall? Absolutely not. Jones has already secured his place as the greatest fighter in UFC history, and no matter who he faces or what happens in his future fights, that fact will never change.

So, let’s stop questioning whether or not Jon Jones’ legacy will be damaged. His legacy was solidified long ago. What we should focus on is how incredible it is that we are still witnessing one of the greatest fighters of all time continue to compete at the highest level.