According to Curtis Blaydes, while Jon Jones’ legacy as a great fighter is undeniable, facing Tom Aspinall is essential for solidifying his heavyweight dominance.
Blaydes, who previously lost to Aspinall for the interim title while Jones was sidelined with an injury and preparing for Stipe Miocic, believes Jones’ victories so far in the heavyweight division haven’t been truly conclusive. Jones defeated Miocic by knockout in what many considered Miocic’s final fight, adding to his prior submission win over Ciryl Gane in 2023.
“We still don’t truly know how good Jon Jones is at heavyweight,” Blaydes stated in an interview. “His wins haven’t been against opponents who truly tested him at this weight. He might be the GOAT overall, but not necessarily the heavyweight GOAT. Right now, despite Jones beating him, I still consider Stipe the heavyweight GOAT, based on his prime performance from about five or six years ago.”
Blaydes emphasized that the only way for Jones to earn his respect as the heavyweight GOAT is to defeat Aspinall. “You have to compete against the best to be considered the best,” Blaydes asserted.
Blaydes’ assessment of Jones’ heavyweight wins stems from the level of competition. While Gane is a former interim champion, grappling has consistently been a weakness in his game. Francis Ngannou exploited this in their title fight, and Jones quickly submitted Gane with a guillotine choke.
Regarding Miocic, Blaydes holds him in high regard but acknowledges that at 42 years old and after a significant period of inactivity, Miocic was not at his peak against Jones.
“That wasn’t the same Stipe who defeated Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, and other top heavyweights,” Blaydes explained. “It was a fighter contemplating retirement. There’s no shame in losing to Jon Jones; it happens.”
Having prepared to fight Aspinall in training camps, Blaydes is keenly aware of Aspinall’s abilities.
Their fight ended quickly when Aspinall knocked Blaydes out in the first round. Blaydes believes Aspinall’s power and exceptional athleticism make him a formidable challenge for anyone, including Jones.
“Aspinall is incredibly fast, athletic, and possesses significant power,” Blaydes noted. “He’s also a smart fighter, setting up his attacks and understanding footwork and takedowns. Jones often capitalizes on opponents’ mistakes, but Aspinall’s athleticism would minimize those opportunities. This would force Jones to adapt and fight differently. The last time we saw Jones truly challenged was against Dominick Reyes, who presented a different style and disrupted Jones’ usual tactics. Aspinall presents similar, if not greater, challenges that will force Jones out of his comfort zone.”
Aspinall’s knockout power is a unique threat that Jones hasn’t recently encountered, and Blaydes questions whether Jones possesses comparable power at heavyweight.
“Heavyweight is different; a single punch can change everything,” Blaydes explained. “If Aspinall can make Jones stand and trade in the center, it becomes a much more even fight. It’s heavyweight, and whoever lands cleanly first has a significant advantage. I’m not convinced Jones has true heavyweight knockout power.”
“Even in his light heavyweight days, Jones typically won through accumulation of strikes rather than one-punch knockouts. This power difference could be decisive against Aspinall.”
Blaydes speculates that Aspinall’s potential to defeat Jones might be a factor in making this fight happen, especially considering the financial incentives involved.
Considering the UFC’s likely financial offer and the magnitude of the matchup, Blaydes anticipates Jones will ultimately agree to fight Aspinall in 2025.
“That’s why I’m confident it will happen,” Blaydes concluded. “Why would Jones decline a multi-million dollar offer? If he doesn’t fight Aspinall, what’s next? Retirement? He doesn’t seem ready for that. It’s a chance to defend his title and earn a substantial payday.”
“I don’t understand the delay. The UFC is surely offering a significant sum. What more could they offer to convince him? A UFC partnership? This fight would be one of the biggest in years, and Jones is getting older. He should capitalize on this opportunity while he can.”
