For the first time in recent memory, Jon Jones opened as the betting underdog against an opponent. After his bout with Stipe Miocic, ‘Bones’ was a +107 underdog against Tom Aspinall who was a -128 favorite in a potential unification bout in the near future. However, we are in March 2025 and the negotiations to face the interim heavyweight champion are still ongoing. The interesting thing is that despite his status as the greatest of all time, Jones finds himself on the back foot in the yet-to-be-finalized bout. Remember, the current undisputed king was the favorite going into bouts against legends like Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson, and even Daniel Cormier. Shocking right? The news has taken many by surprise—except for one insightful MMA legend, Bas Rutten.

During an interview with Dutch YouTuber Buiten De Kooi – MMA Podcast, Rutten broke down exactly why Aspinall poses such a formidable threat to Jones. “What a freaking story. How fast he [Aspinall] is on his feet for a freaking heavy guy he moves like a 185er. So, you know, I mean he’s really light on his feet, can hit really hard, great takedown defense, got a ground game, you know. It’s going to be a problem for Jon,” the former heavyweight champ said.

But what is the reason for Jones to be undermined at this stage of his career when the New Mexico export has essentially done it all? Well, Aspinall is a natural heavyweight (unlike Jones) and has a similarly well-rounded game, equally lethal on the feet and the canvas. In addition, as Rutten pointed out, the Englishman is freakishly quick! Certainly quicker than Jones looked against Stipe Miocic last year. Moreover, the Englishman is 6 years younger and hungrier than Jones to boot.

In short, a nightmare for ‘Bones’, who has both size and age against him. Moreover, Aspinall has the lowest average fight time of any UFC fighter at just 2:02 minutes and usually ends things violently in the first or second round, which Rutten feels is the biggest threat the Englishman poses to Jones.

The Dutch legend further added, “But then Jon’s whole family are freaks of nature. Unbelievable athletes, you know, and he always finds ways, and nobody is able to do otherwise to him. Pretty much, right? Mark Hamil, that was not really a loss, we all know that. So, you know, it’s a tough fight. But I think if Jon lets his mind off a little tiny bit and a little pride slips in, he’s going to get knocked out.”

Jones’ brothers, Chandler and Arthur, both played in the NFL and have won one Super Bowl apiece! Rutten is correct when he says that there is something special in those genes. The other thing Rutten referenced is the only loss on Jones’ record. A disqualification loss to Mark Hamill back in 2009. For the unversed, this was the bout that Jones had all but won when he was disqualified for 12-6 elbows, which were illegal at the time. This is why most, like Rutten, do not consider it a ‘real’ loss and feel the New Mexico resident is still undefeated.

Well, Rutten felt the fight was too close to call and even speculated what Jones’ strategy might be. But the former UFC heavyweight champ was sure of one thing. Jones-Aspinall will be huge!

“This is one of those fights that he cannot make a mistake, and it’s the same for Aspinall. Cannot make a mistake. I would see Jones probably strike for a minute and a half to see where it goes, but if he gets countered I think there’s going to be some takedowns. He should do that anyway, you know, right away to get inside the head of Aspinall. But, yeah, Aspinall, like I said, you know, that I think they’re the top two guys on the planet right now. And it’s just a very hard fight to see. That’s going to break a lot of records in pay-per-view, that’s what I do know,” he added.

But amid all the uncertainty around the heavyweight title unification bout, the question everyone wants the answer to is if the fight is happening or not. Let’s see!

Dana White, Jon Jones, and Tom Aspinall give an update on the heavyweight title clash

Yes, Jones-Aspinall seems all but done. Dana White told ‘TNT Sports’ last week that “It’s going to happen. It’s done, but it’s not done. Not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date. But the fight’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of getting it signed now.”

Tom Aspinall and his father had dinner with UFC CBO and matchmaker Hunter Campbell, after which he was remarkably optimistic about the fight. “You’ve got to stay tuned, my friend. There’s some big news coming,” the interim champ told Ariel Helwani after the meeting.

Even Jon Jones seems to have made up his mind to fight his interim champion. At least that is what former UFC champ Mark Coleman told fans after meeting ‘Bones’ at a recent Dirty Boxing event, in which the GOAT contender is a co-owner. “I ran across the Champ at Dirty Boxing. He is the GOAT. He will be fighting Aspinall soon. We are so brothers. God is great. HammerHouse4Life,” ‘The Hammer’ wrote.

So it seems that all systems are go and Jon Jones has worked out a deal with the UFC. All that remains is for the GOAT contender to put pen to paper if he has not already done that. What do you think about Bas Rutten’s take on the Jones-Aspinall clash?