Jon Jones’ performance at UFC 309 was nothing short of spectacular. A spinning back kick to the body in round three sealed the deal, sending Stipe Miocic crashing to the canvas in a finish that left many fans in awe. That highlight is already circulating all over social media, and rightfully so—it’s an incredible finish. But if you’re here for my honest analysis, it’s time to break down the fight in full and talk about why, despite Jones’ victory, I believe Tom Aspinall would absolutely destroy him.

The Fight – What We Saw

Let’s start with the fight itself. Jon Jones came out with his usual calculated approach, looking sharp in the first round. He got a clean takedown early, showing his wrestling dominance, and did a solid job with ground and pound, showcasing his ability to control the fight from top position. There was a nasty trip that put Miocic on the ground, and while Jones didn’t manage to secure a submission, it was a dominant round overall.

But here’s where things get tricky. Yes, Jones looked good early on, but Stipe wasn’t exactly the Stipe Miocic we remember from his prime. The 42-year-old former champ was coming off a long layoff—four years away from competition—and it showed. He was slow, plotting around the octagon with his hands low and rarely throwing kicks. Miocic was able to land a few good shots on Jones in round two, and one judge even gave that round to Stipe. Despite the slow pace, Stipe had moments where he landed cleanly, and there were times when he forced Jones to reset.

Then, in round three, Jon landed that spectacular spinning back kick to Stipe’s midsection. It was a picture-perfect strike that ended the fight in a way we rarely see in heavyweight bouts. Miocic couldn’t recover, and Jones finished him off shortly after. It was a great finish, but here’s where my honest opinion comes in: if this is supposed to be the toughest test of Jon Jones’ career, we’re in a bit of a strange reality.

The Bigger Picture – Why Aspinall Would Destroy Jones

I’m not here to discredit Jon Jones, but let’s get real: Stipe Miocic, at this point, is not the best heavyweight in the world. The Stipe that fought Francis Ngannou in their first fight was a different animal—a fast, technical, high-volume striker. The Stipe we saw in UFC 309 was slow, not very mobile, and was forced into a gameplan where he was constantly walking forward, trying to land power punches. That’s not the Stipe we remember, and it’s hard to say how much of the Stipe we saw in the cage was due to his age, his time away, or his fireman training camp. Regardless, Stipe wasn’t the same fighter he once was.

Now, let’s talk about Tom Aspinall.

Aspinall has been making waves in the heavyweight division with his ridiculous speed, technical skill, and power. His footwork and movement are a level above almost every heavyweight in the division. If you watched Jones struggle with Miocic’s slow, plodding approach, imagine what would happen if Jones had to face a fighter who moves like Aspinall—fluid, fast, and constantly unpredictable. Aspinall’s hands are fast, his kicks are sharp, and his overall striking technique is miles ahead of what we saw from Miocic on Saturday night.

But it’s not just Aspinall’s striking that would pose a threat. Aspinall’s grappling, wrestling, and submissions are incredibly underrated, and if Jon Jones struggles to take down and control Miocic in round one, how is he going to handle a younger, faster, and more well-rounded fighter like Aspinall? In fact, I believe Aspinall would take Jones down just as easily as he did Stipe, but unlike Jones, Aspinall would be in a position to finish, either with ground and pound or a submission. Aspinall has been on another level in terms of speed, athleticism, and power—and we’ve seen him dismantle top-tier competition in quick fashion.

Why Jon Jones Wasn’t Impressive

Look, Jon Jones is still a phenomenal fighter, and his accomplishments in the UFC speak for themselves. But let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this was the toughest challenge of his career. Miocic was a shell of his former self, and even with that said, there were moments in the fight where Jones looked vulnerable. He got hit clean by Stipe a few times, especially when Stipe was lunging forward with right hands. His chin was exposed at times, and he was forced to reset. Yes, Jon managed to avoid a disaster, but that’s not what we’re used to seeing from a fighter that many consider the greatest of all time.

What this performance showed me is that Jon Jones is not the same fighter he once was, especially in the heavier weight class. He’s slower, more cautious, and while his fight IQ is still among the best, his physical attributes are starting to show signs of aging. He’s been out for a while, and though he’s still dangerous, I don’t think he’s the unbeatable force he once was.

The Path Forward – Jones vs. Aspinall?

So, what happens next? After UFC 309, Jones mentioned the possibility of facing Tom Aspinall in his next fight. If that fight happens, I’ll be honest: I see a completely different outcome. Aspinall is younger, faster, and better than Stipe in almost every way. He has a versatile striking game, explosive power, and the ability to take the fight wherever he wants. I genuinely think Aspinall would destroy Jon Jones in the same way he’s been demolishing the rest of the heavyweight division. If Jones couldn’t finish a washed-up Stipe Miocic in the first two rounds, I don’t think he lasts long against Aspinall.

I’ve seen some people say that Jones could dominate Aspinall with his wrestling, and while it’s true that Jones has excellent grappling, I think Aspinall’s movement and defensive skills would give Jones a real headache. Aspinall doesn’t sit in one place like Miocic did, and I think he’d be able to stuff takedowns, avoid the clinch, and strike with power from all angles.

In the end, I’m excited to see what happens next for Jon Jones, but I truly believe the era of Jones being an unbeatable heavyweight is over. The fighters like Tom Aspinall and Francis Ngannou are the future of the division, and they present serious challenges to Jones that we haven’t seen yet.

Final Thoughts

UFC 309 was a good night for Jon Jones, but it wasn’t the night that proved he’s invincible in the heavyweight division. Stipe Miocic may have had his moments, but he’s not the fighter he once was. Aspinall is younger, faster, and far more dangerous in my opinion—and if that fight happens, I think we’re looking at a completely different result.