Since his sensational interim title win against Sergei Pavlovich last year at Madison Square Garden, Tom Aspinall has continuously been brewing a dream in his eyes to become the division king. However, that ambition is impossible for him without facing the reigning heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, whom the ‘Brit’ has consistently been demanding a unification title fight against. Yet, his requests have always been shot down by ‘Bones’, who claimed, “The beautiful thing about being in my position is I’m not defined by one fight.”

Jones seems keen to focus on Stipe Miočić, which has made him a target of criticism, with some accusing him of dodging Aspinall. However, Jones’ nemesis, Daniel Cormier, does not share this view; according to him, ‘Bones’ is doing the right thing by denying ‘Honey Badger’s’ fight request. Let’s find out how.

Daniel Cormier commends Jon Jones’s approach to Tom Aspinall

In his astonishing yet controversial career spanning over a decade, Jon Jones has defeated everyone in his path, to become one of the most dangerous fighters in MMA history. He combines immense strength with a high fight IQ and tactical prowess, allowing him to remain at the peak of his long career. Daniel Cormier recently echoed this sentiment on the Pound 4 Pound podcast.

When Henry Cejudo asked ‘DC’ how Jon Jones should approach a fight with Tom Aspinall, Cormier responded that ‘Bones’ is doing exactly what he should be doing. Cormier mentioned, “He’s doing the right thing. He’s no-selling him, right? Like he’s acting like Tom does not matter. Make him just angry and don’t give him what he wants. Jon Jones is doing all right, man. Jon Jones doesn’t need Tom Aspinall.”

Cejudo, who has occasionally coached Jones, then asked ‘DC’ for his opinion: “You think he should fight this guy?”

Cormier firmly supported Jones’s decision to retire after his fight against Stipe Miocic at the upcoming Madison Square Garden event, stating, “No, I think he should be done. I think he deserves to be done for what he’s done because you’re right.”

However, Daniel Cormier not only appreciates his nemesis Jon Jones’s approach to dealing with Tom Aspinall, but he also recently praised ‘Honey Badger’s’ attitude as he seeks a title unification fight.

Cormier lauds Tom Aspinall’s attitude towards Jon Jones

No one ever thought that 31-year-old Tom Aspinall would cement his status in the UFC’s heavyweight division in a short time. Despite being young and having the blood of a fighter, Aspinall has maintained a dignified approach in a sport where disrespectful banter is common. It’s exemplified by fighters such as Colby Covington and Conor McGregor, who are willing to go to any length to secure a fight. Even at the peak of his career, Aspinall has chosen to act with dignity, despite Jon Jones and UFC CEO Dana White continuously turning down his persistent requests for a title shot against Jones.

Recently, this attitude caught the attention of former fighters turned analysts, including Daniel Cormier, who noted they had never encountered anyone quite like Aspinall. Cormier echoed this sentiment on his podcast, stating, “The fact that he’s not being as respectful as he was before is a massive, massive win for Tom Aspinall because before, it was easy to ignore him. I believe that those guys should fight, but Jon seems to be—I don’t know if he’s trolling. He really can be trolling because I don’t know Jon Jones to be openly saying, ‘I’m just not fighting that guy.”

What are your thoughts on Daniel Cormier’s remark? Do you also believe that Jon Jones did the right thing by ducking the British sensation Tom Aspinall? Drop your opinion below.