Tom Aspinall Interview: Becoming champ after Jon Jones’ retirement & state of HW division | ESPN MMA
ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto sits down with UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in Las Vegas about Jon Jones’ decision to …
source
Reviews
0 %
He hasn’t fought anyone
Totally heartbroken, for Jon Jones as well as Tom aspinal fans
Jon Jones is a smart mofo inside the ring, but outside of it, let's just say not as much.
I have a theory that while still fighting at LHW, some easy late fights except the Reyes one which he in reality lost (but realized that because of his name and persona and Dana dickriding, he can get away with a W even with such a performance), he already was eyeing the HW division and planning his move there. Stipe and DC had their 3 fights and Jon knows he can beat DC again and always, if necessary. And Stipe clearly doesnt look as untouchable there. At that time Jon has an idea to move up and beat either one of the guys, and further increase his already GOAT status, potentially win fights even easier due to the slowness of the HW guys (which later on his only two fights at HW proved…but with a big asterisk).
The first problem was arrival of a force of nature Ngannou. Massive Ko power. Not exactly ideal to fight him. So Jon waits it out – ducking under the pretext of bulking slowly. Not entirely unfounded because he WAS getting his weight up, he is a lanky dude but got tiny ass legs and clearly he is a natural LHW, no need to lose much weight to fight there, so basically walking at 210-215. A bad idea to go against a 265+ Francis or a naturally 230+ Stipe. He had to get to 230 himself while not becoming a slow mofo himself. So his first ducking was actually a bit justified.
And then Ngannou has his issues with UFC and leaves. Lo and behold, who comes out quickly and announces he is ready for HW. He dismantles Gane quickly and right away announces Stipe, who is a huge name but his last five fights are a war with Ngannou, KO loss to DC, a turnaround win against DC where he was mauled until his crucial tactical liver strikes, a 3rd DC fight which went to a decision, and a convincing KO by Francis. Followed by a couple of years of inactivity.
Ideal for Jones. He knows he can beat this Stipe. Both by a sub/ko or by a decision. A fight of the century that he can easily sell to Dana. And Stipe is lured by an easy paycheck. The fight is a farce, Stipe but also Jon are slow as fck. TKO… A Legacy move.
But there is a huge problem that already came to the scene, which is called Tom Aspinall. He ruined all Jones' plans. This is not the HW division Jon had signed up for. Other guys he can easily fight off, Volkov, Pavlovich, Blaydes… No problem. He would lure Alex to the HW division with money also, and i guess beat him easily. Ngannou also, if he returns to the UFC, he isnt as dangerous anymore.
But Tom? He cant touch him. And he actually doesnt gain much even if he beats Tom, from a legacy standpoint he should already be the GOAT, but can he risk fighting Tom? Absolutely not. This guy will clearly dismantle him. Jon is smart in the ring but this puzzle he cannot solve. So he ducks. Ducks hard. Even started ducking when Tom had his interim, while just focusing on Stipe. No long term thinking, but previously things went his way.
But one thing he didnt envision. The fans see right through him. And start turning against him. His legacy takes a major drop. That's why he retires, to stop the bleeding. Perhaps fans will forget this. That's what he thinks. Now he will observe from a distance and plan his return if possible. He wants Alex as another triumph, but cannot really avoid Tom. Or he can, if he fights for legacy and not for the belt. At HW. It's not like he has to fight Tom now. He will keep ducking Tom and try to get Pereira. And he actually can legally do that now, when he doesnt hold a belt.
Thats the plan of Jon Jones for the future. Reinstate your GOAT status in a Pereira fight. Keep ducking Tom who is already sick of Jones' antics and calculations so he won't push for it this time, and will simply let UFC choose his opponents for title defences.
Jon could have an extra 20 or 30 million in the bank now if he hadn't over played his hand…
Tom Aspinal Interview: every question is about Jon Jones. haha
He literally just said…that he knows that he is not in Jon jones league…end of discussion…
Ohhj tom u dont want fight pereira i think is bad fight for Alex too small chance heavy big guys i would watch It
Many good fighters are terrible interviews, for different reasons. This guy is refreshing.
Jones recognizes that most of the greats go out with poor pay. Its business at the end of the day
Jon jones ran away from a real beating of his ass session. Tom for a heavy weight fights like a lightweight in terms of speed and agility. He will be for a long time top of the game
He's the goku of UFC. He just wants to fight strong guys. Lol
Jon lost his access to juice so he retired
Jon knew he would get slept and didnt want to tarnish his official record 😂😂😂
Becoming Champ after retiring Jon Jones
This guy oozes class! A rare thing these days in the fight game… Pride of Britain! (not to mention the north 😬)🇬🇧
He has nobody to fight only gane his division is dead unlike the lightweight and welterweight division thats only popping
WEAKKKKKKKKKK… Waited till my
Boy was down, to try and pick up his Bones… Not this life Billy…
if Tom ever gets knocked out in rnd 1 by anyone, he should just get an auto rematch for the title as compensation for this whole Johnathan Jones thing. Peace
this interviewer really just throws as many words in as he can
The first 12-13 minutes is basically the same questions asked in different ways on repeat ..a bit of a bodgy interviewer honestly .
Toms mate Rico would of smoked nganou
Did chandler dirty also
Title Tweak: After Jon Jones runs with his tail between his legs 😂
Mate Tom is gonna past stipe fireman’s record of defence eaaaasy . No 1 is touching tom
I'm sorry to say this, but, Tom is the worst Champion of UFC…
He had the worst opponents…
by far as an title holder
I like Tom, but UFC heavyweight roster is terrible and I understand why…
Who wants to fight, for maybe 50 to 100 thousands of dollars, cuz you can get payed more, if you just show the moves and muscles on youtube!!!
It's true…
Now UFC signed Ante Delija, who's the strongest or best Aspinal sparing partner
I hope you win your fight to defend your title just because you are old school 💪
I hope Jones is actually done so that we can be done with all of his drama.
Buddy became champ by default 😂😂😂😂 bones would put this man in a bodybag lol
I just hope the UFC books a fight asap. Jon already wasted enough of Tom’s prime years
Congrats Tom you were so good that you scared your opponent into ducking you and you lost out. All class in this interview.
An exclusive interview, where you here all the things YouTube shorts have already told you
Jon Jones is the goat.
Jon duck Jones
How is this an exclusive interview if he also did an interview with Ariel?
Bro, the fight wasn't smart for Jones. It's not a big deal.
Tom better win the next 17 title fights like Jon Jones did…lol if not then this dude is completely irrelevant and we’re just giving him the spotlight because the GOAT is supposedly “ducking” him.
Looking forward to watching your next fight champ
This is why i love Tom, humble, honest and doesn't talk bad about anyone, he could have slated jon and ufc, rightfully too, but he stayed professional and just stated the facts 💪🏻 perfect guy to be champion 🏆
Dana was a total bell the way he announced it, to not even inform Tom first and acting like ‘oh now that you mention it jones retired and toms champ.’ His face didn’t change l, he didn’t like happy at all and didn’t initially even acknowledge Tom which is disgusting. He only cares about money and his cash cow has left and his big money fight is off. He was never a huge fan of Tom either. He knows the heavyweight division is dead and ppvs won’t sell. Tom will streamroll anyone in the division and all Dana sees is less money for him. The guy is a total bell
Tom so good he didnt even have to fight for the belt lol
this is one of those who so to say can win but has no charisma. that's why Aspinall is likely to be very forgettable even if he defeats Jones. Mediocre.
The views on this video prove that he is no big star that he thinks he is.