Jon Jones has been the subject of frequent criticism in recent months. “Bones” initially disappointed fans by cancelling the match he was scheduled to play against Stipe Miočić in November last year. However, it is difficult to blame Jones for the serious injury he sustained in training, as injuries are unpredictable and do happen in this sport.
However, Jones faces even more criticism for still insisting on the match against Miocic. Stipe made his last appearance in the third month of 2021, he was brutally knocked out by Francis Ngannou and did not enter the cage after that match. The match between Miocic and Jones is expected at the end of this year, and Miocic will celebrate his 42nd birthday earlier. At the same time, Tom Aspinall is waiting “tough as a gun”, holding the status of the interim UFC heavyweight champion and many see him as possibly the toughest test of Jones’ career.
However, Jones rejects Aspinall as a more interesting option than Miocic, stating that facing Miocic will do much more good for his legacy. Many will say that Jones may not be following the will of the fans, but he is making the right decision by avoiding a tougher opponent.
Jones’ former biggest rival agrees with this statement. He is Alexander Gustaffson, a fighter who shared the cage with Jones twice and was very close to winning in the first fight between them. In an interview with Crypto Betting Sites, Gus expressed his view on the situation between Jones and Aspinall.
“Aspinall is on the rise right now and he’s a very, very good heavyweight.” I don’t see who can beat Aspinall right now. I understand why Tom wants to fight Jon because Jon is the “GOAT” (greatest of all time). Jones is also the biggest star in the UFC right now. If Tom beat Jon, that win would be bigger than any UFC belt. Beating Jones is the biggest possible accomplishment in the UFC right now, so I understand why Aspinall is chasing that fight. “I think he’s ready for Jon and if he wants to fight Jon, now is the time,” Mauler began, then added:
“I think Tom will be too much for Jon. He has all the weapons to beat him. Jon has not been overly active, but he is still the greatest of all time. We can never write him off because he is very good at what he does. He has managed to beat every opponent and everyone knows how good he is. But, Aspinall, at this point I see him as a very big threat to Jon. He is dangerous on his feet, he is fast, he has great footwork and he is a smart fighter. He has all the tools to put on a good match against Jon and beat him. “Aspinall could become one of the greatest heavyweights of all time,” added Gustafsson.
So Alexander Gustafsson agrees with those who believe that Jones must avoid Aspinall if he wants to remain unbeaten. Gus also hinted at a possible match between Miocic and Jones, but in this case Gustafsson is not quite sure about the favorite.
“It’s hard to imagine how Stipe can beat Jones. I like Stipe a lot and he’s a great heavyweight, but he can’t beat Jones. “Miocic has done more than all the heavyweights, but it’s hard to imagine him beating Jones,” is his brief review of that match.
Fans from our area still want to watch the clash between Miocic and Jones. Stipe Miočić has a special place in the hearts of Croatian MMA fans and the match against Jones is something Miočić deserves for his farewell to the sport. A possible victory would be the ideal end to his sporting story, but even in case of defeat, Miocic can proudly end his great fighting career.
