Like most within the MMA group, Ben Askren doesn’t perceive why Jon Jones’ first title protection will probably be towards Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
The matchup was rebooked for the promotion’s return to Madison Sq. Backyard on Nov. 16, practically one 12 months to the date of their initially scheduled reserving — which was scratched by Jones struggling an harm. Askren, a previous UFC competitor, needs to see the very best fighters dealing with the highest of the division, and if it had been as much as him, it will be Tom Aspinall getting the shot.
“I wish to see him battle Tom Aspinall, it doesn’t look like occurring,” Askren advised Daniel Cormier. “It actually sucks. It sucks that I’ve to talk towards Stipe as a result of I’ve nothing towards him, I really talk about Stipe favorably, however he hasn’t fought in endlessly. I simply don’t perceive.
“I do know he’s had nice outcomes, however it’s been 4 years, or one thing. Tom Aspinall’s been out on these streets beating everybody up, I might like to see Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones, and actually, [Francis] Ngannou is some other place additionally, so it is a case the place you’re simply not attending to see the very best guys combating the very best guys and it sucks. Possibly we’re spoiled.”
Miocic hasn’t competed since shedding the heavyweight title when he was brutally knocked out by Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021.
Jones will return to the octagon for the primary time since profitable the heavyweight title towards Ciryl Gane through first-round submission at UFC 285 in March 2023 — which will probably be simply his second look since his win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020.
Aspinall has competed six occasions since Miocic’s most up-to-date outing, going 5-1 with all finishes, with the lone loss coming through knee harm in his UFC London important occasion matchup with Curtis Blaydes in July 2022. Aspinall has since gained the interim heavyweight title, and defended it efficiently towards Blaydes with a first-round end at UFC 304 in July.
Askren continues to marvel why the UFC continues to return to the Jones vs. Miocic matchup when he feels Aspinall is the much more compelling possibility.
“Tom Aspinall has confirmed that he’s this man, and Jon Jones has been — nicely he’s been type of actively combating — not tremendous lively,” Askren stated. “However why can’t we see them? We wish to see them [fight], they’re each there, put them collectively.”
