Jon Jones' biggest rival makes clear Tom Aspinall claim ahead of potential clash
With the blockbuster heavyweight showdown still yet to be confirmed, Jones' long-time rival Daniel Cormier has offered his verdict on the clash
Jon Jones ' long-time rival, Daniel Cormier, predicts the heavyweight champion will square off against Tom Aspinall. After capturing the undisputed heavyweight crown with a victory over Ciryl Gane two years ago, 'Bones' has only defended the belt once - a knockout victory over MMA icon Stipe Miocic back in November.
Many fans assumed 'Bones' would call it a day after the clash with the former champion. However, immediately after the encounter, the 37-year-old teased that he would stick around for at least one more fight. Aspinall's year has been marred by frustration, remaining out of action since his impressive triumph over Curtis Blaydes last July in Manchester, where he retained his interim title.
Fans are calling for Jones to be stripped of his title, suspecting him of holding up the eagerly anticipated clash with Aspinall. UFC boss Dana White, though, insists an announcement will be made soon. Amidst Jones' recent retirement teases, Cormier believes the American's ego will ultimately lead to the matchup getting booked.
During a recent episode of Funky and the Champ, Cormier assessed Jones' latest comments about a UFC return. 'I don't know that he vacates without fighting [Tom], because I think the visual, and the lasting thought would be that 'He ran from him', and I don't think his ego could handle that he ran from someone,' Cormier said of Jones
Jones and Cormier have clashed twice, with Jones initially winning both bouts. However, their UFC 214 rematch was declared a no-contest after Jones failed a drug test. Discussing a potential fight between 'Bones' and Aspinall, Cormier expressed his belief that the match will happen. "The idea that people would think he's afraid means more to him than going out there and fighting him, and taking the chance," he remarked.
"Especially when there's a real possibility that he just outclasses Tom Aspinall... I think he will fight him, I don't think they'll need to strip him, he'll fight him. He could walk away and go 'I'm the best, I don't need to do anything else'," Cormier added. "But the idea that he ran, is going to be too strong of a pull for him as he goes into the next phase of his career."
With fans still wondering if the pair will settle the score once and for all, Aspinall himself seems to be confident that the contest will happen. Over the last few days, the Brit has been training in the Netherlands with kickboxing legend and his long-time sparring partner Rico Verhoeven.
The kickboxer was eager to get Aspinall's thoughts on the potential dust-up with Jones. 'I think yeah, I think we'll get him," said the Wigan warrior. Aspinall then explained the struggles he has faced in knowing how to approach his pursuit of the fight. 'He's an unpredictable guy,' he said of Jones. 'Everybody's got a different idea of what you should do.
'Some people are like 'oh you should just leave him and he'll fight you'. Then other people are like 'the more you talk s*** the less he wants to fight you'. I'm just like 'what is this?' We're supposed to be professional fighters, we fight each other, that's what we do. I thought that's what we do anyway.'
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