It’s been an accomplished 539 days since Jon Jones, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, last graced the Octagon. Despite his prolonged absence, Jones hasn’t yet defended his heavyweight belt, spurring debates on whether he should be obligated to do so.
For an extensive period, Jones has been a force to be reckoned with in the UFC’s heftier classes. His dominance in the light heavyweight realm spanned over a ten-year period, during which he accumulated 14 wins in the division, before making his heavyweight debut in 2020.
In spite of his solitary fight since the pandemic began, praise hasn’t ceased to flow from UFC’s CEO, Dana White. Recognizing him as the greatest fighter in the promotion’s history, such reverence may be justified by his impressive records and unmatched endurance.
Nevertheless, to firmly establish Jones as the ultimate heavyweight champion, he must confront the division’s rising prodigy. Despite this lodged contention, it is challenging to declare Jones as the top heavyweight without him locking horns with the emerging talent.
While the UFC is keen on pitting Jones against the preceding heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic, the Mixed Martial Arts fraternity views the scenario differently. As the interim champion, Aspinall is highly regarded as the deserving number one contender and a potential heavyweight king like Jones in future years.
For this to happen, it is critical that the preeminent fighters contend against each other. The Jones versus Aspinall showdown represents the epitome of this claim.
Despite the buzz circling the prospective Jones versus Aspinall bout, pundits argue that the fight might not be as evenly matched as anticipated. Some believe that fans in the UK, a significant demographic of MMA followers, might find this assertion displeasing: if a bout materializes between Jones and Aspinall, the former would finish the latter within the 15-minute mark.
Examining their Octagon history would substantiate this claim. Jones’s championship battles are legendary, including an unforgettable thriller against Alexander Gustafsson eleven years ago. Here, he won an outcome that sparked extensive debates among fans, fellow fighters, and media outlets.
In contrast, Aspinall routinely concludes his matches in less than a round, a trait some argue might not develop the crucial patience required for drawn-out championship clashes. This swift execution does not necessarily equate to readiness for a championship bout.
A comparison spotlighting their stamina also points in Jones’ favour. His historical bout durations paint the picture of a man accustomed to overcoming hardships, while the brevity of Aspinall’s fights makes it hard to gauge his endurance.
In comparing their individual records, the discrepancy between Jones and Aspinall becomes even more apparent. Aspinall’s record lacks the quantity and quality of fighters that Jones has triumphed over, including Hall of Famers and former champions.
On Jones’ ledger, you’ll find victories against martial arts royalty like Mauricio Rua, Gustafsson on two separate occasions, Daniel Cormier twice, Staphen Bonnar, amongst others. In contrast, Aspinall’s record showcases nary a Hall of Famer, with his most notable victory coming against a past-his-prime Andrei Arlovski.
For a new champion to emerge, it would require a slip-up from Jones, perhaps a moment of negligence, or an ill-advised trading of blows with Aspinall. However, the big question is if this highly anticipated fight will ever materialize.
Should this battle take place, it already boasts a global audience waiting with bated breath to see the outcome. One thing’s for sure: no one can definitively know what will happen until the world bears witness to this potential turning point in the UFC’s heavyweight division.