Daniel Cormier doesn’t essentially agree together with his former foe Jon Jones in terms of his reasoning to cross on a possible battle in opposition to Tom Aspinall however that doesn’t imply anyone is operating scared.
Within the days main as much as his heavyweight title protection in opposition to Stipe Miocic within the UFC 309 major occasion, Jones revealed that he has little interest in going through Aspinall because the interim champion but when he chooses to battle once more, mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira could be value his time. For his half, Cormier understands why Pereira is the preferrable matchup over Aspinall however he doesn’t purchase that Jones is frightened of any opponent he may face within the octagon.
“Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier stated on his YouTube channel. “I want individuals would cease saying that. He’s not afraid of that man. He’s not afraid of anybody. He’s not afraid to battle this man. He’s not.
“I feel he’s making an attempt to be extra strategic I feel he’s making an attempt to ensure his legacy stands. I don’t know the way it may ever be pale. I imply we do have brief recollections however may you ever overlook what he did? I don’t suppose combating Tom Aspinall with the potential that he would lose is a foul factor. However as most would count on him to win the battle.”
By way of consideration and promoting pay-per-views, Cormier completely understands why Jones would quite face Pereira over Aspinall however he additionally believes there’s one more reason why that individual battle holds extra weight with the reigning UFC heavyweight champion.
“Sure, financially it might make sense,” Cormier defined. “It will [also] be a lot much less dangerous due to that obvious gap within the matchup. I don’t know if Alex Pereira can defend takedowns in opposition to the very best guys. He’s wrestling Glover [Texeira], I’m positive Glover’s instructing him how you can defend takedowns. I’m positive Glover, who’s an incredible wrestler himself, has him ready however I don’t know the way he’ll do in stay motion in opposition to a very elite [high level] wrestler. As a result of Jan Blachowicz isn’t and he was in a position to take him down successfully.
“So yeah, Jon would like that matchup as a result of it’s a lot much less dangerous than combating Tom Aspinall. Financially, he does have a degree. That’s the greatest cash battle for him with the much less threat as a result of individuals now know Pereira.”
The place Cormier splits from Jones is when he stopped simply in need of calling Aspinall a “no one” and added that the British born heavyweight simply hasn’t overwhelmed anyone worthwhile to get his consideration. Jones acknowledged that he was finished risking his legacy in opposition to up and coming fighters making an attempt to construct a reputation off of him.
As a lot as Jones protested about Aspinall’s resume, Cormier says the argument falls brief as a result of he’s not simply taking over some random contender within the division. Jones could be going through the interim champion and Aspinall’s accomplishments to earn that belt can’t be ignored.
“[Mauricio] ‘Shogun’ [Rua] needed to battle Jon Jones again within the day,” Cormier stated. “‘Rampage’ [Quinton Jackson] needed to battle Jon Jones again within the day. These guys have been large names that fought him because the younger man that was a champion and he made a reputation off of all these legends. In order that by the point that I bought to him, he was a legend. Already in 2015, 2016, he was already a legend in combating years however that was solely as a result of he had overwhelmed all these nice guys earlier than. It truly is the story of sport, proper? The story of leisure.
“Earlier than Michael Jordan might be Michael Jordan, he needed to undergo the Detroit Pistons, who have been profitable within the 80s. He needed to beat the Boston Celtics to get to the finals, who have been going backwards and forwards with the Lakers. The previous guard has to get handed via for the brand new guard to occur. So for Jon to say he’s a no one — however is he actually? He’s the world champ. Actually, that’s who he’s. He’s the No. 2 heavyweight on this planet. He’s the interim champ. He’s not a man that’s simply working his method via the division. This can be a man that’s smashed the division.”
By all accounts, Jones isn’t budging on his disinterest in terms of Aspinall however Cormier additionally argues that this might simply be a approach to publicly negotiate for a a lot greater purse to take that battle.
If the UFC actually needs to make Jones vs. Aspinall, it’d drive the promotion so as to add a few further zeroes to any potential payday to make it occur.
However Cormier additionally understands the chance versus reward situation for Jones the place he may face a heavyweight like Aspinall with eight finishes within the UFC with just one opponent making it previous the primary spherical or he may tackle a light-weight heavyweight in Pereira, who’s a deadly striker however not referred to as a high degree grappler.
“I don’t suppose he’s scared,’ Cormier stated. “Is there a fear that he may lose that match? As I learn [his comments], it sounds increasingly prefer it. However he’s not due to concern. He doesn’t actually really feel just like the juice is definitely worth the squeeze.”
