Alexander Gustafsson believes Jon Jones should face Tom Aspinall next, calling it a fight Jones 'has to take'. He acknowledges Aspinall's danger and urges the champion to be ready for the mental challenge.
Jon Jones ' former rival Alexander Gustafsson believes that the reigning UFC heavyweight champion needs to take on Tom Aspinall in a title unification bout. However, Gustafsson also warned Aspinall that facing Jones, widely considered the greatest fighter in UFC history, will be a significant mental challenge. Jones has expressed less than enthusiastic interest in facing Aspinall since the Englishman secured the interim heavyweight title.
The main obstacle was Jones' long-scheduled title fight with former champion Stipe Miocic, which took place at UFC 309. Jones emerged victorious with a third-round TKO, solidifying his position at the top of the heavyweight division. While the Miocic fight allowed Jones to test his mettle against a legend, Miocic appeared a shadow of his former dominant self. Meanwhile, Aspinall had been on a tear through the heavyweight contenders, culminating in a dominant victory over Sergei Pavlovich to capture the interim title. A clash between Jones and Aspinall seems inevitable, with UFC CEO Dana White stating before the Jones-Miocic fight that the winner 'absolutely should' face Aspinall next. Gustafsson, who pushed Jones to his limits in their memorable 2013 light heavyweight title fight at UFC 165, knows Jones well. He acknowledges Jones' undeniable status as the GOAT, but emphasizes his responsibility as champion. 'I believe (Tom Aspinall) is a fight he has to take. That is his next fight,' Gustafsson stated. 'You can't take away what he's done before, whether he fights Aspinall or not, what he's done is just amazing. But it's still a fight he needs to take.'Aspinall poses a serious threat to Jones' claim of never having been legitimately defeated in the Octagon. Aspinall's blend of boxing skills, grappling prowess, and exceptional speed for a heavyweight makes him a legitimate danger to Jones' reign. Jones, cognizant of the risk, has expressed that he'd require a substantial payday to accept the fight. Gustafsson believes Jones is not afraid but emphasizes the importance of adequate compensation for such a high-risk bout. 'I think he knows Aspinall is dangerous. I think it's a matter of what his payday is,' Gustafsson explained. 'I don't think that guy is scared of anybody. He's been fighting everybody. He's demolished everyone. He needs to get paid.' Regarding the fight itself, Gustafsson remains neutral on a potential victor. Jones has dominated at light heavyweight but has only fought twice at heavyweight, against Cyril Gane, who lacked takedown defense, and against an aging Miocic. Aspinall, on the other hand, has proven his mettle at heavyweight. 'That's also a hard fight to call,' Gustafsson admitted. 'I think Aspinall is dangerous in many ways. Jon Jones' fighting IQ is just over the top. So it's hard. I can't pick a winner or loser. I don't know. But it would be a hell of a fight.'Gustafsson highlights Aspinall's need to be mentally prepared for the challenge. He compares Jones to heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson, noting the psychological pressure Aspinall will face. 'I believe so,' Gustafsson said. 'Because of what the guy has done. He has been finishing the best guys in the world for a decade now. Aspinall's mindset needs to be right. It needs to be bulletproof. You need to be ready for the GOAT.' Gustafsson concludes that Aspinall's success hinges on his mental fortitude and ability to withstand the pressure of fighting Jones, the ultimate fighter in many eyes.
JON JONES TOM ASPINALL ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON UFC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE UNIFICATION
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