As anticipation builds for the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic legacy fight, predictions are pouring in from fighters and analysts alike. Khamzat Chimaev confidently stated his pick, backing Jones for the win. Other veterans like Daniel Cormier have also weighed in, with most favoring “Bones” in this matchup of two legendary fighters.

However, when the discussion shifts to a hypothetical bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, UFC middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis appears less certain. Although he was quick to choose Jones over Miocic at UFC 309, the South African found himself at a loss when asked to predict the outcome of a potential Jones vs. Aspinall showdown. The dilemma reflects the intrigue surrounding Aspinall’s rise and his potential threat to Jones’ reign.

Dricus Du Plessis faces a dilemma between Jones and Aspinall

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Dricus Du Plessis shared his thoughts on the upcoming Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight, expressing confidence in Jones as the clear winner. However, when the conversation shifted to the idea of a potential matchup between Jones and rising heavyweight star Tom Aspinall, DDP took a more nuanced stance, describing it as a “lose-lose” situation for him.

“It’s hard to say this publicly, but I don’t need to see Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones,” DDP admitted. “I love both of them. Tom Aspinall is such an awesome guy, and I met Jon Jones briefly—he’s an amazing, massive guy and a martial artist I look up to for his fighting skills.”

‘Stillknocks’ went on to praise Aspinall’s exceptional talent and agility in the octagon. “Tom Aspinall looks unbeatable; he moves like a middleweight,” DDP continued. “I look up to him a lot. So, for me, it’s a lose-lose situation. If they fight, someone is going to win and someone is going to lose, and I’ll feel both happy and sad for them.” Du Plessis’s sentiments reflect the respect he has for both fighters and the bittersweet nature of seeing two admired fighters go head-to-head.

However, before speculating on the potential winner, a bigger question looms: Will Jon Jones face Tom Aspinall? Aspinall is currently positioned as the backup for the highly anticipated New York main event and is prepared to step in if needed. He’s also eager to challenge the winner, and if given a choice, he would prefer to face Jones. Yet, tensions have arisen after Jon Jones’s coach recently criticized Aspinall’s skills, which didn’t sit well with the British fighter.

Jon Jones’s coach is not thrilled about the interim champ

In a recent conversation with MMAFightingonSBN, Brandon Gibson shared insights into the highly anticipated UFC 309 event and expressed concerns for Jon Jones as he faces Stipe Miocic. He highlighted Miocic’s durability and relentless fighting spirit, saying, “For sure Stipe. He’s a dog, right? We’ve seen Stipe come back in fights. He’s proven himself in those championship rounds. He doesn’t fade. He’s as tough as they come. Even in the second fight against Francis Ngannou, when he was wobbled, he kept punching. That man is dangerous at all times.”

However, when the discussion shifted to Tom Aspinall, Gibson was more critical. He pointed out the interim heavyweight champion’s limited experience beyond the opening bell, suggesting that Aspinall might struggle in deeper rounds. Interestingly, Jones’s opponent Stipe Miocic seems to echo some of Aspinall’s thoughts on the UFC 309 matchup outcome. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, the 42-year-old shared his perspective, saying, “I feel the same way. I think it’s 50-50, [but] I think it’s more towards me.”

So, what do you think? Would a potential future fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall leave you just as torn? Share your thoughts in the comments below!