UFC 309 has concluded, and it more than delivered on its promise of excitement and drama. Among the night’s standout moments was the main event clash between

Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Fight fans got to witness some vintage flair from the consensus MMA flair as he finished the former champion with a spinning back kick in the third round.

Despite his triumph, Jones faced criticism for bypassing the challenge of interim champion Tom Aspinall. The Englishman has been seen as the true number-one contender for undisputed gold but Jones has once again dismissed the potential matchup, stating his desire to square off next against 205lbs king Alex Pereira. Was Jones’s decision the right one? AKA head coach Javier Mendez believes so, supporting his choice to prioritize a legacy-defining fight.

Jon Jones did the smart thing by not fighting Tom Aspinall feels coach Mendez

In a generational shift of heavyweight MMA, Tom Aspinall has emerged as its “undisputed” leader. The Englishman, who recently reclaimed his spot among the division’s elite, has made no secret of his ultimate ambition: a showdown with the champion Jon Jones. Aspinall’s meteoric rise has been fueled by a blend of lightning-quick striking, elite grappling, and a calm confidence that belies his age. For Aspinall, the allure of fighting Jones extends beyond championship gold.

Jones, widely considered one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, has transcended the sport with his dominance across multiple eras. However, the champion has time and again shown no interest in fighting the 31-year-old. But it seems he has done the right thing as this would be a much riskier fight according to AKA head coach and Team Khabib member Javier Mendez. The legendary coach took to his podcast on his YouTube channel to share his opinion on the whole.

During his own podcast on YouTube, he pointed out why ‘Bones’ did the right thing by not accepting the challenge. He said, “You’re not going to fight Tom Aspinall. Because in my opinion, that’s a riskier fight. And he’s going to go why do I need that? I don’t need that. He already made his name. And Tom’s still yet gonna make his. I mean I’d like to see him and Tom fight. But I seriously doubt based on the way he’s talking that he’s gonna get Tom. He doesn’t want to give him a chance. And he doesn’t need to he don’t need to prove nothing.”

Indeed, Jon Jones doesn’t really need to prove at all. His performance at Madison Square Graden against a former 2-time champion reminded everyone how good he exactly is. In just three rounds, the champion mapped out a game plan for ‘Stone Cold’ and ended the fight via a brutal body kick. During his post-fight interview, he even announced that he isn’t considering retirement. So what’s next for the champion?

Jon Jones’ future hangs in the balance for the moment

Right from the very first round, Jones seemed a completely different fighter in comparison to Stipe Miocic. ‘Bones’ demonstrated his versatility and dominance early in the fight, employing precise striking and strategic grappling. Miocic, known for his durability and technical boxing, struggled to find his rhythm and did not wish to commit to close-range punches. Ultimately, Jones secured a decisive finish, solidifying his status as arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. However, the entertainment didn’t just end there.

In his victory celebration, Jones also paid tribute to Donald Trump who was present cage-side at the event by copying his dance moves! But on being asked about his retirement plans and next opponent by Joe Rogan, ‘Bones’ kept the anticipation going. He replied, “I’ve decided, that maybe I will not retire. I have some conversations to have with Dana and Hunter, and we have some negotiating to do. And if everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see.” He further added, “You know, I know we have options, and I’m just gonna see what Uncle Dana wants, and what Uncle Hunter wants and you guys will hear about it soon, I’m sure.” 

The victory not only added another prestigious win to Jones’ illustrious career but also marked the end of Miocic’s storied journey in the Octagon. But who should the heavyweight champion face next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.