The MMA sphere is clamoring for a title unification bout between the undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, and the interim champion, Tom Aspinall! ‘Bones’ recently dismantled Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 for the first defense of his undisputed crown. Yet, as the dust settled from the event, the question on everyone’s mind was, ‘When will Jones fight Aspinall?’

Well, at the UFC Tampa post-fight press conference, CEO Dana White sent a rumble through the MMA world as he shared, “100 percent (it’s a priority). I think it’s probably the biggest fight in heavyweight history, and it’s massive in the history of the company, too. It’s a big fight.” With that being said, many wonder if the young Brit, who has the world of mixed martial arts at his feet, can topple the mountain that is ‘Bones’. As such, here’s a look at 3 reasons that may spell trouble for Aspinall as we explore why Jon Jones may hold the edge when they step into the Octagon against one another!

Jon Jones might be the UFC’s best wrestler

It’s not often you hear wrestling described as a ‘work of art’, but Jon Jones’ style makes it seem that way. A natural athlete from day one, Jones first made waves on the wrestling mats of Union-Endicott High School and that’s where he also became a state champion. Known for his reach and unusual approach to takedowns, Jones crafted a style that left opponents second-guessing themselves.

Then, at Iowa Central Community College, Jones added more wrestling accolades to his resume by winning the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) national championship. All of this has played a factor behind his remarkable 95 percent takedown defense as he has only been taken to the floor twice in his entire career!

Even when you talk about the takedowns he has landed, ‘Bones’ holds the 4th highest takedown count in the light-heavyweight division with 42 to his name. So, what makes him so special? For that, we’ll have to take a look at what Daniel Cormier had to say about his rival’s wrestling skills.

Speaking on an episode of the ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ show, Cormier highlighted, “He’s got an 84-inch reach, a 7-footer’s reach. So, if he can push you against the octagon, level change and get his hands locked, he can take you down. That’s what he was very good at. Defensively, he was so tall that I would get his leg up, and he would still kind of hop it. That made it difficult to take him down.”

Why is this so important against someone like Tom Aspinall? Because in the fast-paced world of heavyweight fighting, it’s easy to get caught up in the raw power of heavy hitters. Aspinall, a fighter known for his striking, relies on his speed and technique to land devastating blows. However, when you place him up against a wrestler with the size, reach, and intelligence of Jon Jones, you can see where the gaps might lie.

Tom Aspinall’s injured knee; an opening for Jon Jones?

Ask any fighter, and they’ll tell you that one wrong move, one twist, and everything can change. This was the harsh reality for Tom Aspinall when he suffered a devastating knee injury against Curtis Blaydes in 2022. It wasn’t just a knock; it was a complete rupture—an MCL tear, meniscus damage, and ACL damage to boot. Aspinall had to undergo surgery, sidelining him for a full year. In his own words, it was “one of the lowest points of my life.”

While he has looked just like his old self since coming back from the injury and claiming the interim title, is Aspinall’s knee truly ready for the massive weight of Jon Jones’ attack? ‘Bones’ is lethal with his oblique kicks that target the knee and leave opponents with a compromised base to make his job even easier inside the cage.

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, a fighter who’s shared the cage with Jones, has spoken at length about the dangers of his style, particularly when it comes to his unorthodox and sneaky use of oblique kicks. In a conversation with Chris Van Vliet on YouTube, Jackson shared, “And then, if you advance or do anything good, you get the advantage, he’s going to kick you in the knee. He’s kicking you right on your kneecap. I think that should be banned because those two things can end somebody’s career—if you detach my retina, you mess my knee up really bad. My knee is still messed up from that.”

And so, if Jones targets that area in his fight against Aspinall, it could spell disaster for the young Brit’s hopes. But that’s not the only advantage that may tip the odds in the favor of the undisputed champion as he also has history on his side!

Jon Jones has dominated KO artists in the past

Heavyweight fighters are notorious for their knockout power but it’s not something Jon Jones hasn’t faced in the past. While Tom Aspinall currently holds a 75% KO/TKO rate in the UFC according to Tapology, ‘Bones’ has come out on top against some of the most feared knockout artists the sport has ever seen.

Take the fight against ‘Rampage’, for example. Jackson, known for his thunderous power in his hands, was one of the most dangerous men in MMA history and boasts 17 KO victories on his resume. Yet, Jones outclassed him, using his reach and unorthodox techniques to control the fight and eventually secured a rear-naked choke victory at UFC 135.

The same goes for fighters like Lyoto Machida (11 KOs) and Vitor Belfort (18 KOs) — each possessing knockout power, but none could land clean enough strikes to truly threaten Jones. In fact, in his fight against Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, a legend of the sport with 21 KO wins under his belt, ‘Bones’ sliced through his defenses effortlessly. And with a TKO win at UFC 128, Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history!

Aspinall, with his crisp strikes and rapid movements, represents the new breed of heavyweights. But in the face of Jon Jones’ wrestling, his unrelenting pressure, and his experience, it’s hard to see how Aspinall will come out on top. From his wrestling pedigree to his mastery over knockout artists, Jones has all the tools to dismantle the interim champion. Throw in the lingering questions about the Brit’s knee injury, and it suddenly becomes a matchup that leans heavily in favor of ‘Bones’. Do you think Jon Jones will be able to hand Tom Aspinall a reality check when they match up in the future? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!