Jon Jones’ reluctance to fight Tom Aspinall is not as damaging to his legacy as some may suggest, according to Chael Sonnen. Sonnen, a former fighter and now a well-known analyst, often provides alternative viewpoints on UFC matters. This situation is no different, as Sonnen downplays the perceived necessity of Jones unifying his UFC heavyweight title against interim champion Aspinall.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen discussed the prospect of Jones facing Aspinall compared to other potential matchups. He suggested that fans might have initially desired a Jones vs. Aspinall bout but questioned whether that remains the most appealing option. Sonnen proposed that a fight between Jones and reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has garnered significant interest and might be a more compelling matchup.
Sonnen elaborated on this by challenging the notion that Jones’ legacy would suffer without a fight against Aspinall. He argued that the narrative of such a fight being crucial to Jones’ legacy is overstated. According to Sonnen, while the fight against Aspinall is significant, it is not the be-all and end-all for Jones’ career.
He emphasized that Jones’ legacy will not be dramatically impacted by skipping a fight with Aspinall, suggesting that it is simply “another fight” rather than a legacy-defining moment.
For now, Jon Jones is focused on his return to the octagon, where he is expected to face Stipe Miocic. Jones has consistently indicated that a fight against Miocic, a former champion considered one of the greatest heavyweights in UFC history, would enhance his legacy. Despite fans’ concerns about Miocic’s age, recent knockout loss, and inactivity over the past three years, Jones sees this matchup as a key milestone in his career.
Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall will co-headline UFC 304, where he is set to defend his interim title against Curtis Blaydes in a rematch. This bout will allow Aspinall to further cement his status in the heavyweight division while Jones continues to build his legacy with fights he deems more significant to his career.
