UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been constantly criticized since refusing to accept a fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Jones recently made a comeback after suffering a torn pectoral muscle last year. During his time away, Tom Aspinall took the position of interim champion and defended the title against Curtis Blaydes. However, it seems the fighter wants more. Since Jones’ return to the cage, Aspinall has badgered the champ for a bout and says this will be a battle for Jones to cement his position as champion if he wins.
Jones, on the other hand, is unbothered by the call out and doesn’t feel Aspinall deserves a chance in the octagon with him. However, he would be open to the idea if he is compensated.
Jones recently defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, and he doesn’t plan on stopping there. The fighter mentioned retiring after his bout with Mioci, but now, the fighter is vying for a BMF title fight with Alex Pereira even though UFC CEO Dana White is against this and would much rather prefer a fight between Jones and Aspinall.
Jones’s avoidance of fighting Aspinall has caused much criticism, as many believe he is scared of losing, but former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is on Jones’ side in this battle.
“I think there’s a negotiation situation here that’s involved that we don’t know all the ups and downs.” Ngannou told TMZ Sports. “We all know the situation that they use in the negotiation to say. ‘Oh no, he doesn’t want to fight this guy – he’s scared.’ And then that’s how the machine works.
Jones and Ngannou have a history in the UFC. They were originally supposed to fight, but Ngannou left the promotion later. The fighters have maintained a respectful relationship and have congratulated each other after every victory. Despite not being in Jones’ shoes, Ngannou understands how the criticism can be, as he has received his fair share.
Things didn’t turn out well with Ngannou and the promotion during his time with UFC, but many people judged him for leaving, with some claiming he was ducking a fight with Jones. The fighter took it in good strides and is currently PFL’s heavyweight champion.
Ngannou is fully behind Jones in choosing his next opponent and says he doesn’t see anything wrong with Jones choosing to battle Pereira. He says the pound-4-pound fighter has achieved much in his career, and a fight with interim champ Aspinall won’t take away from or add to the legacy he already has.
“He’s in the position to claim what he wants, as he said. He said, ‘Aspinall needs that fight. I don’t need it.’ And when you look at it, it’s pretty much true. There’s nothing that he’s going to have more in that fight other than money. But for Aspinall, who’s someone coming and trying to cement his way in the division, that will be everything.”
Although both fighters are in different promotions, Ngannow is still open to a super fight. The two never got a chance in the cage, and Ngannou is hopeful there might come a time when they will face each other as opponents in the cage.
“The reality is, we both know we both want this fight, for sure,” Ngannou said. “And it would be a good fight for us. There’s more to this, like legacy and everything. I mean, I can finish my career at some point. But, it will always be great to know that, OK, you faced that guy – that guy who is the best in the sport to ever do the sport.”
