There’s a growing debate about Jon Jones’s status as the greatest MMA fighter even after his triumph over Stipe Miocic last month. Amidst this, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has once again stirred the pot and seems to be in disagreement with that declaration of Jones, claiming that his dr*g test failures make it hard for him to call ‘Bones’ “the best.”

Jones’ history with these substances is like an open book for MMA enthusiasts. From getting caught for using estrogen blockers to getting caught for using an anabolic ster**d, Turinabol, Aspinall believes that the use of such substances is just plain cheating and that’s why he doesn’t see him as the best to ever do it unlike Dana White, who never fails to beat Jones’s drum. When the Manchester native appeared in his most high-profile interview to date, he made it clear what constitutes the best MMA fighter ever.

“Let me first start by saying Jon is absolutely elite, and I completely agree with the notion that he’s one of the best fighters ever,” Tom Aspinall told renowned British journalist Piers Morgan. The interim king further stated, “Potentially [the greatest ever] but the way that I look at it, he has failed a couple of dr*g tests. To me, that rules you out of being the best of all time… For me, personally… If you’re on PEDs and your opponent isn’t, that’s absolutely cheating!”

However, Tom Aspinall claims that people can take certain banned substances. But the only criteria behind using it is not competing while on such substances. Let’s see what the interim champion had to say.

Tom Aspinall is not opposed to using certain substances, but not in the way Jon Jones did

Remember the talks about Vitor Belfort being on TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) while he was actively competing in the UFC? Well, such practices are frowned upon in sports, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue if he had done it while he was not an active MMA fighter. Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan even claimed to have experienced a lot of benefits himself from TRT, and guess what? Tom Aspinall claims that he might use that later in his life after he’s done with fighting.

Claiming that he could use certain substances to stay healthy when he gets older, the Englishman added. “When I retire, I will, yeah. Absolutely, just keep my body healthy. You know, your body stops producing testosterone after a while. To be a healthy, older gentleman, I’ll probably do some kind of testosterone [therapy].” Aspinall has probably given Jon Jones a pass in this particular situation as well.

Despite pointing out the heavyweight champion’s struggles with test failures, Tom Aspinall has maintained that he’s got no beef with the division kingpin. Regardless of what the interim champion has to say, do you stand in agreement with the Manchester native? It will be interesting to see how Jon Jones responds to these comments from the Briton in the days to come.