One of Jon Jones’ past transgressions impacts his UFC GOAT case, according to Tom Aspinall.
Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones have traded barbs in recent months ahead of their potential heavyweight clash. After Jones defended the lineal heavyweight championship at UFC 309, fans and pundits continued to clamor for the Aspinall fight to come to fruition.
Jones is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time after a legendary run in the UFC Octagon. Before making the full-time transition to heavyweight, he enjoyed a largely unblemished run at light heavyweight, defeating many UFC icons during his title reigns.
UFC CEO Dana White and others believe Jones is undoubtedly the greatest UFC fighter of all time, along with the rightful pound-for-pound king. Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and other legends are in the mix in the intense UFC GOAT debate.
Jones’ vacant heavyweight title win last year, combined with his successful defense against Stipe Miocic, added distance for many fans in his UFC GOAT case. He’s one of a handful of all-time UFC fighters to win championships at multiple weight classes.
Despite Jones’ accolades, Aspinall doesn’t believe he deserves the top spot on the UFC GOAT list.
- READ MORE: UFC legend explains how Jon Jones’ post-UFC 309 Tom Aspinall dismissals ruined his ‘brand’
Tom Aspinall: Jon Jones’ PED use puts him below GOAT Georges St-Pierre
In a recent interview with the Kairouz Bros, Aspinall placed Georges St-Pierre above Jones in the UFC GOAT hierarchy.
“GSP,” Aspinall said. “He’s never failed for PEDs. [Jon Jones is] second, I think it would be silly to say that he wasn’t one of the best ever.”
St-Pierre’s final UFC welterweight title challenger, Johny Hendricks, accused the titleholder of PED use ahead of their UFC 167 fight. As of this writing, there isn’t any direct evidence of St-Pierre using banned substances during his career, and St-Pierre lambasted Jones after testing positive for a banned substance just days ahead of UFC 200.
Jones’ scheduled rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 was called off after he tested for two banned substances in a pre-fight drug test. He served a one-year USADA suspension after the board found Jones didn’t take the banned substances intentionally.
St-Pierre retired from MMA after winning the UFC middleweight championship over Michael Bisping at UFC 217. Before the UFC 217 title win, St-Pierre vacated the welterweight belt and took a four-year leave from competition.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall bad blood ramps up heading into 2025
Aspinall’s UFC GOAT take adds to a budding rivalry with Jones ahead of their potential heavyweight grudge match. White and the UFC brass will meet with Jones and Aspinall in the coming months in hopes of securing a fight booking.
Jones originally teased retirement ahead of UFC 309 but pivoted on that stance after defeating Miocic. Despite Aspinall waiting in the wings for a shot at Jones, Alex Pereira has been Jones’ largely discussed next opponent target.
Some fans have mocked Jones’ recent dismissals of Aspinall, which he recently embraced through a hilarious social media change. Regardless of Jones’ stance, Aspinall’s next fight will be for the lineal UFC heavyweight championship, instead of defending the interim belt for a second time.
Aspinall respects Jones’ greatness but believes his past PED use excludes him from the UFC GOAT throne. If Jones stops him in the Octagon, Aspinall’s UFC GOAT take might be the target of mockery.
from Bloody Elbow https://ift.tt/dXtsNWD
