The long-awaited showdown between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall may never come to fruition, as Jon Jones has once again rejected the idea of fighting the British heavyweight contender. Fans have eagerly anticipated this potential matchup, but Jones’ latest comments leave little hope for a fight between the two. After a string of comments dismissing Aspinall as a challenger, it’s becoming clear that Jones has no interest in facing the young, hungry fighter.
Jon Jones: Focused on Easier Fights?
Jon Jones has long been regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, but his recent remarks have raised questions about his willingness to fight the best challengers. In a recent interview, Jones made it abundantly clear that he’s not interested in facing dangerous up-and-coming fighters like Tom Aspinall. Instead, he’s looking at “super fights” with more established champions like Alex Pereira. Jones claimed he would rather fight “dangerous champions” than face a rising star like Aspinall, who is still working his way to the top of the heavyweight division.
While it’s understandable that Jones would seek out big-money matchups with other high-profile fighters, many feel that his dismissal of Aspinall is a missed opportunity to solidify his legacy. Aspinall has been on a tear in the heavyweight division, securing dominant victories over top-ranked fighters and proving himself to be one of the most dangerous contenders in the division. Yet, despite this, Jones continues to ignore him, preferring to look past the future of the division in favor of safer, more lucrative bouts.
The Rise of Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall, on the other hand, is a rising star who has already proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. With his combination of speed, skill, and knockout power, Aspinall has already established himself as one of the most promising talents in MMA. He’s coming off a solid win streak and has expressed his desire to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Aspinall is not just another contender—he’s an elite fighter on the verge of greatness.
For Aspinall, a fight with Jon Jones would be the ultimate test—a chance to prove himself against the greatest of all time. But Jones’ repeated refusal to engage with him leaves many fans frustrated, wondering if they will ever get to see the two fighters square off in the octagon. While Jones seems content to fight established champions like Pereira, the truth is that Aspinall has already earned his shot at the title and deserves the opportunity to face the reigning champion.
Why Jon Jones is Avoiding Aspinall
Jones has made it clear that he doesn’t want to fight “dangerous up-and-comers” like Aspinall, but many fans see this as nothing more than an excuse. Aspinall is an established contender now, having already cleaned out most of the division. He’s a legitimate threat, and there’s no denying his skill and ability. So why is Jones avoiding him?
Some speculate that Jones sees Aspinall as too much of a challenge. Aspinall’s fast pace, technical striking, and heavy hands make him a dangerous opponent, especially for someone like Jones, who relies on his wrestling and ground control to win fights. A bout between Jones and Aspinall would be a true test of Jones’ abilities—one that he might not feel ready to take on, especially when he could fight Pereira, who poses fewer challenges on the ground.
Others argue that Jones is more interested in securing big-money fights with recognizable names. A fight with Alex Pereira is undoubtedly a more marketable fight, with both fighters being major draws in the sport. While the fight against Aspinall would be a more legitimate test of Jones’ skills, it’s not as commercially viable as a showdown with someone like Pereira.
A Legacy on the Line
By refusing to fight Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones is risking his legacy. If he chooses to face Pereira or other established champions instead, he may find success in those fights, but there will always be a lingering question in the minds of fans: “What could have been?” A fight with Aspinall would have been the ultimate challenge—a clash of two of the most dangerous fighters in the world, with the future of the heavyweight division on the line.
For many, avoiding Aspinall is a sign that Jones is no longer interested in proving himself against the best. He has already accomplished so much in his career, and while he is undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters of all time, some fans believe that ducking the number-one contender tarnishes his legacy. Other legends in combat sports, like Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James, have always sought out the toughest challenges until the end of their careers. But Jones’ refusal to fight Aspinall makes it seem as if he’s more interested in picking and choosing easier bouts rather than facing the most dangerous challenger in the division.
What’s Next for Tom Aspinall?
Even if Jon Jones continues to avoid him, Tom Aspinall is not slowing down. Aspinall is focused on building his own legacy and will likely continue his ascent through the ranks of the heavyweight division. He could very well face the winner of Cyril Gane vs. Alexander Volkov in his next fight, and a win there would further cement his status as the next big thing in the division.
Regardless of whether Jones ever faces him, Aspinall is determined to prove himself as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. A few more dominant perf
Conclusion: The Fight That Won’t Happen
At this point, it seems that the highly anticipated fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is simply not going to happen. Jon Jones’ reluctance to face Aspinall suggests that he is either unwilling to take on the biggest challenge in the division or is more focused on securing financially lucrative matchups. Either way, fans are left disappointed by the reality that we may never see these two fighters collide in the octagon.
For Aspinall, it’s a missed opportunity to face one of the greatest fighters of all time. For Jones, it’s a lost chance to solidify his place in history by defeating the rising star of the heavyweight division. Ultimately, MMA fans are the ones who lose out on what could have been one of the greatest matchups in UFC history.
