With the minor exception of UFC CEO Dana White, it seems like most individuals are uninterested in Jon Jones’ s—t.
Final yr, “Bones” tore his pec and was compelled to withdraw from an already pointless title combat versus Stipe Miocic. Accidents occur, even to the perfect, so there’s no disgrace there. Chasing a giant cash combat — on this case, framed as a “legacy combat,” a time period which didn’t exist till now — is annoying, but it surely’s hardly new habits from UFC champions. We roll our eyes at Michael Bisping chasing a Dan Henderson rematch or Colby Covington’s third undeserved title shot, however that’s a part of the sports-entertainment enterprise.
Blatant ducking just isn’t, and it’s laborious to explain what Jon Jones is doing with regard to Tom Aspinall as anything. Aspinall is essentially the most thrilling Heavyweight contender since Francis Ngannou burst onto the scene (Jones form of ducked him too, but it surely’s extra difficult), and he’s confirmed himself nice each step of the best way. A well-rounded Heavyweight in his prime with actual deal knockout energy, Aspinall is EXACTLY the kind of fighter that followers needed to see Jones face as soon as he lastly left 205-pounds.
Aspinall has a robust argument as the perfect Heavyweight on the planet proper now. Definitely, he has a greater argument that Jones. I’m not going to speak unhealthy about Ciryl Gane, as that was a legitimately glorious victory for “Bones” and made him a worthy champion again in March 2023. You aren’t going to persuade me that any single win, nevertheless, is larger than Aspinall’s spectacular physique of labor, stuffed to the brim with brutal and fast stoppages.
Jones is totally dismissive of Aspinall’s case, and it’s infuriating. It’s bold-faced ducking. Retiring on the high would completely be acceptable, however now Jones is speaking about Alex Pereira as an alternative of Aspinall? It’s genuinely gross.
Actually, my authentic intent for this text was to write down a full-on incendiary hit piece on Jon Jones. That’s removed from my go-to model, however Jones is a nasty particular person and ducking is a lethal sin in fight sports activities, so why not? The one factor holding me again is definitely simply how troll-like and unlikable Jones is performing within the latest Kevin Iole interview.
There are two attainable conclusions watching the interview: Jones is delusional in his dismissal of what followers need and what Aspinall has achieved, or “Bones” is negotiating. He’s on the finish of his profession, and he needs a large paycheck. If that’s the case, what higher strategy to drive up demand than worsen the complete fan base and get them barking for an Aspinall match up?
If that’s the plan, it’s a great one. Assuming Jones beats up the aged Miocic as most everybody expects, a short retirement — and even only a hinted one — might actually flip Jones vs. Aspinall from a extremely anticipated title combat to one of many largest pay-per-views (PPVs) headliners of the final half-decade.
That’s to not say the sport Jones is (presumably) taking part in is with out threat. Past all else, Jones is a person obsessed together with his legacy. It’s so clearly valuable to him. The person is extremely delicate to perceived slights, actual or normally imagined. Even after 14 years of dominance, he’s speaking about doubters like there are any left. At no level did you ever hear Georges St. Pierre, Fedor Emelianenko, or Anderson Silva barking nonstop concerning the pound-for-pound rankings. Making his insecurity much more absurd is the easy incontrovertible fact that Jones in all probability does have the perfect argument for all-time biggest … assuming you’re keen to miss some spicy drug exams, not less than.
Regardless, it’s very clear that Jones’ legacy is of the utmost significance with him. If he continues to duck Aspinall whereas make outlandish statements about him then doesn’t really combat him, that’s an absolute black mark on his legacy. It’s one thing individuals will bear in mind, a simple counter argument to anybody who says Jon Jones is the perfect fighter of on a regular basis.
If that’s the case, why was he afraid of Tommy Aspinall?
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the complete UFC 309 combat card proper right here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPNews at 8 p.m. ET), earlier than the pay-per-view (PPV) principal card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).
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