Curtis Blaydes Explains Why He Envisions Former Opponent Tom Aspinall Stopping Jon Jones Early

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains […]

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains unclear whether it will happen or not.

Jones has come under some criticism for the way that he has spoken about the fight and played down the significance of fighting a guy like Aspinall who he sees as just another name. A lot of fight fans however believe that the Brit is the toughest fight out there for the consensus greatest of all time right now and as the interim champion, he deserves this opportunity to challenge “Bones” before he hangs up the gloves.

Curtis Blaydes is the only man to face Aspinall twice in his career and he’s also the only person to defeat the current interim champion in the UFC. After their first meeting back in 2022 ended in just 15 seconds when Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury, they ran it back at UFC 304 this past July where on home turf, the interim titleholder defended his belt by stopping “Razor” in the first round.

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, Blaydes gave his thoughts on how a Jones and Aspinall matchup would play out if we do ever get to see it. He believes that (aside from his controversial disqualification loss against Matt Hamill) Aspinall could be the first man to defeat Jones inside the Octagon.

Blaydes says that though the fight is still an incredibly difficult one to predict, the speed and power of Aspinall could counter the range and distance striking of the current heavyweight champion.

“I would pick him (Aspinall). Like, I would go 55 (percent) him. Obviously, it’s not going to be a landslide. Like, we’re going to get Jon Jones. He’s a legend. He’s got all the weapons. I think one area where Tom can win is just a presence inside. Like, Jon Jones gets away with being able to stand in front of his opponent and just paw and pick at him with the inside leg kicks and the teeps and the jabs.

“(Aspinall) definitely has the speed. He doesn’t have the range that Jon has, but who does? But I think he knows that. I think he’ll get on the inside of that range, and I think he’ll be able to land a overhand. And it’ll probably be early because he likes to blitz. He doesn’t like to wait. So yeah, I think it’ll happen early.”

Curtis Blaydes Explains Why He Envisions Former Opponent Tom Aspinall Stopping Jon Jones Early

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains […]

Arguably the most anticipated fight in MMA right now is a potential UFC heavyweight title unification clash between Jon Jones and the interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. It has been one of the main talking points that has dominated conversation throughout 2024 but after Jones’ recent win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, it still remains unclear whether it will happen or not.

Jones has come under some criticism for the way that he has spoken about the fight and played down the significance of fighting a guy like Aspinall who he sees as just another name. A lot of fight fans however believe that the Brit is the toughest fight out there for the consensus greatest of all time right now and as the interim champion, he deserves this opportunity to challenge “Bones” before he hangs up the gloves.

Curtis Blaydes is the only man to face Aspinall twice in his career and he’s also the only person to defeat the current interim champion in the UFC. After their first meeting back in 2022 ended in just 15 seconds when Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury, they ran it back at UFC 304 this past July where on home turf, the interim titleholder defended his belt by stopping “Razor” in the first round.

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, Blaydes gave his thoughts on how a Jones and Aspinall matchup would play out if we do ever get to see it. He believes that (aside from his controversial disqualification loss against Matt Hamill) Aspinall could be the first man to defeat Jones inside the Octagon.

Blaydes says that though the fight is still an incredibly difficult one to predict, the speed and power of Aspinall could counter the range and distance striking of the current heavyweight champion.

“I would pick him (Aspinall). Like, I would go 55 (percent) him. Obviously, it’s not going to be a landslide. Like, we’re going to get Jon Jones. He’s a legend. He’s got all the weapons. I think one area where Tom can win is just a presence inside. Like, Jon Jones gets away with being able to stand in front of his opponent and just paw and pick at him with the inside leg kicks and the teeps and the jabs.

“(Aspinall) definitely has the speed. He doesn’t have the range that Jon has, but who does? But I think he knows that. I think he’ll get on the inside of that range, and I think he’ll be able to land a overhand. And it’ll probably be early because he likes to blitz. He doesn’t like to wait. So yeah, I think it’ll happen early.”

Tom Aspinall: Jon Jones’ Failed Drug Tests Disqualify Him As Greatest Fighter

Tom Aspinall has shared a compelling argument for why Jon Jones might not be regarded as the greatest fighter of all time. For years, Jones’ name has been enshrined in conversations about the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, with his career achievements loudly affirming why he’s often seen as deserving of that title. […]

Tom Aspinall has shared a compelling argument for why Jon Jones might not be regarded as the greatest fighter of all time.

For years, Jones’ name has been enshrined in conversations about the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, with his career achievements loudly affirming why he’s often seen as deserving of that title.

“Bones” cemented his place in UFC history as the youngest champion ever, capturing the light heavyweight title at just 23 years old. With a remarkable career record of 28-1, his sole loss remains a hotly debated blemish. Furthermore, Jones holds an unbroken streak in 16 world title fights, underscoring his dominance in the sport.

However, as the saying goes, nothing in this universe is flawless.

Jones’ decorated career has not been without its blemishes, plagued by a string of high-profile controversies, including multiple notorious positive tests for banned substances. It’s this shadow over his legacy that fuels Aspinall’s belief that, despite Jones’ monumental achievements, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion falls short of earning the GOAT title.

During a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Aspinall began by recognizing “Bones” for his impressive achievements but quickly shifted focus to the American’s failed drug tests, calling him a cheat. According to the Brit, those infractions gave Jones an unfair advantage over his opponents.

“Let me first start by saying Jon is absolutely elite, and I completely agree with the notion that he’s one of the best fighters ever,” Aspinall said. “Potentially [the greatest], but the way that I look at is he has failed a couple of drug tests. To me, that rules you out of being the best of all-time. For me, personally.

“If you’re on steroids or whatever — I don’t think he was on steroids, but he was on PEDs, performance-enhancing drugs. If you’re on PEDs and your opponent isn’t, that’s absolutely cheating in my book unless you’re both allowed to do it.”

Jones made the first defense of his heavyweight title with a dominant third-round TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Since then, speculation has been running rampant about who might be next in line to challenge him. As the interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall is widely regarded as the natural contender for a shot at the undisputed title.

Despite Jones’ consistent lack of interest in facing Aspinall, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed a strong intention to make the highly anticipated title unification clash happen in the near future.

Tom Aspinall: Jon Jones’ Failed Drug Tests Disqualify Him As Greatest Fighter

Tom Aspinall has shared a compelling argument for why Jon Jones might not be regarded as the greatest fighter of all time. For years, Jones’ name has been enshrined in conversations about the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, with his career achievements loudly affirming why he’s often seen as deserving of that title. […]

Tom Aspinall has shared a compelling argument for why Jon Jones might not be regarded as the greatest fighter of all time.

For years, Jones’ name has been enshrined in conversations about the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, with his career achievements loudly affirming why he’s often seen as deserving of that title.

“Bones” cemented his place in UFC history as the youngest champion ever, capturing the light heavyweight title at just 23 years old. With a remarkable career record of 28-1, his sole loss remains a hotly debated blemish. Furthermore, Jones holds an unbroken streak in 16 world title fights, underscoring his dominance in the sport.

However, as the saying goes, nothing in this universe is flawless.

Jones’ decorated career has not been without its blemishes, plagued by a string of high-profile controversies, including multiple notorious positive tests for banned substances. It’s this shadow over his legacy that fuels Aspinall’s belief that, despite Jones’ monumental achievements, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion falls short of earning the GOAT title.

During a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Aspinall began by recognizing “Bones” for his impressive achievements but quickly shifted focus to the American’s failed drug tests, calling him a cheat. According to the Brit, those infractions gave Jones an unfair advantage over his opponents.

“Let me first start by saying Jon is absolutely elite, and I completely agree with the notion that he’s one of the best fighters ever,” Aspinall said. “Potentially [the greatest], but the way that I look at is he has failed a couple of drug tests. To me, that rules you out of being the best of all-time. For me, personally.

“If you’re on steroids or whatever — I don’t think he was on steroids, but he was on PEDs, performance-enhancing drugs. If you’re on PEDs and your opponent isn’t, that’s absolutely cheating in my book unless you’re both allowed to do it.”

Jones made the first defense of his heavyweight title with a dominant third-round TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Since then, speculation has been running rampant about who might be next in line to challenge him. As the interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall is widely regarded as the natural contender for a shot at the undisputed title.

Despite Jones’ consistent lack of interest in facing Aspinall, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed a strong intention to make the highly anticipated title unification clash happen in the near future.

Piers Morgan Defends Himself to Tom Aspinall: ‘My Mom Likes Me’

Piers Morgan Defends Himself to Tom Aspinall: ‘My Mom Likes Me'Piers Morgan’s mom likes him, and that’s good enough. There are plenty of reasons not to like the popular…

Piers Morgan Defends Himself to Tom Aspinall: ‘My Mom Likes Me'

Piers Morgan’s mom likes him, and that’s good enough.

There are plenty of reasons not to like the popular English podcast. For some, it’s as simple as his conservative-leaning politics. For others, it’s his blatant hypocrisy and child-like bullying of celebrities who don’t condone his manipulative interview tactics and twisting of facts as a tabloid journalist.

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Recently, interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall had the chance to ask Morgan some hard-hitting questions of his own, like why nobody seems to like him.

“First question: I think you’re alright, but why does nobody like you?” Aspinall asked in a clip posted on his YouTube channel.

“My mom likes me,” Morgan replied. “I’m like Marmite. You are the ‘love it or hate it.’ And if you don’t like Marmite, there’s something wrong with you.”

For those unfamiliar, Marmite is a sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive salty taste that is typically spread on toast, crackers, or sandwiches. Though it’s most popular in the United Kingdom, you can get Marmite shipped directly to your door via Amazon.com.

Try it if you dare.

Will Tom Aspinall ever get to fight Jon Jones?

Tom Aspinall’s future in the heavyweight division is still up in the air as fans anxiously wait to find out whether or not undisputed titleholder Jon ‘Bones’ Jones’ will ever step into the Octagon with Aspinall to unify their two titles.

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Following Jones’ big win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, ‘Bones’ left the door open for a potential clash between the two, but with him only fighting twice in the last five years, who knows when or if we’ll ever actually see the fight come to fruition.

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Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Odds – Aspinall Moves Up for Dead Even Odds

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall OddsA potential matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall in the UFC heavyweight division would be a highly anticipated…

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Odds

A potential matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall in the UFC heavyweight division would be a highly anticipated clash of styles and generations. Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, is the current UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Odds

The odds for a potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight have been fluctuating. Currently, the odds are quite close with Jones at 11/10 and Aspinall at 8/11. In American odds, this would translate to Jones at +110 and Aspinall at -137. These numbers suggest that Aspinall is considered a slight favorite, but the fight is expected to be very close. The odds are dead even, so maybe look for better odds at top online casino right here.

It’s interesting to note how the odds have shifted over time. Back in July 2023, Jon Jones was a significant favorite at -200, with Aspinall as the underdog at +170. However, as Aspinall continued to impress with his performances and Jones faced questions about his age and inactivity, the odds gradually moved in Aspinall’s favor.

The stakes for this hypothetical fight would be immense. It would be a title unification bout, with Jones’ undisputed championship and Aspinall’s interim title on the line. For Jones, it would be a chance to cement his legacy by defeating a younger, hungry challenger. For Aspinall, it would be an opportunity to dethrone a legend and establish himself as the new king of the heavyweight division.

Jones is known for his unorthodox and creative striking, combined with excellent wrestling and a high fight IQ. He’s adept at using his long reach, employing a variety of kicks, and controlling the fight both on the feet and on the ground. Aspinall, on the other hand, brings an aggressive and highly effective striking style, with powerful punches and excellent technical skills.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this potential fight is Aspinall’s finishing ability. He has a remarkable 93% first-round finish rate, having secured 14 of his 15 career wins within the first five minutes. This explosive power could pose a serious threat to Jones.

However, Jones’ experience and ability to adapt during fights could be a significant factor. He has consistently demonstrated his versatility and has a proven track record of overcoming diverse challenges. Jones also boasts an impressive 95% takedown defense rate, which could neutralize one of Aspinall’s potential strategies.

Despite the compelling matchup, it’s worth noting that Jones has shown reluctance to face Aspinall, instead expressing interest in fighting light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

A Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight would be a clash of generations, pitting one of the sport’s all-time greats against a rising star with the potential to reshape the heavyweight division. And the odds are a dead heat.