UFC fans believe Jon Jones ‘ducked’ Tom Aspinall because of the threat that the Englishman possesses, however, Daniel Cormier just doesn’t see it.
Consensus greatest fighter of all time Jon Jones retired from the UFC earlier this year after a long saga including now undisputed heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall.
After being offered a considerable amount of money by Dana White, ‘Bones’ instead opted to decline the offer and retire from the sport instead of fighting the Englishman, which resulted in fans calling him a ‘duck’.
Despite that, since then the former champion has announced his plan to return in 2026 as he continues to plead to be included on the White House event.
Although Jones is hoping to return, Aspinall opted to continue with his career and will defend his title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.
Daniel Cormier makes unpopular claim about Aspinall vs Jones
Despite being widely regarded as the greatest fighter of all time, many fans were of the belief that Aspinall would’ve been the toughest fight of Jones’ career because of the element of the unknown.
After moving up to heavyweight, Jones only made two appearances, and one of which was against Stipe Miocic who was at the end of his career.
However, despite being the biggest rival of Jones’ career, Daniel Cormier has made an unpopular claim that Aspinall wouldn’t have been as much of a challenge for Jones as was being made out.
“I have a hard time believing that he would duck somebody, because he is good,” Cormier said in an interview on Aljamain Sterling’s YouTube channel.
“He’s just not necessarily interested in fighting the kid and I just don’t get that, I don’t get it… I don’t know why (he wouldn’t fight Aspinall), I don’t think Tom Aspinall’s that hard a matchup for him.
“It’s a tough fight of course but I don’t think it’s like so hard a match that he can’t win,” Cormier continued.
And although he and Jones have a longstanding rivalry, Cormier has campaigned for the UFC to allow Jones to fight on the White House event, despite White stating it won’t happen as he cannot trust Jones.
“Well the problem is, we haven’t seen that much of Tom. You don’t know how he handles adversity, there are so many questions in regards to Tom Aspinall but guess what, he’s gonna answer those and then an idea of a fight with him then, it’s much worse, it’s worse.”
Cormier outlines what would be a ‘hilarious’ scenario
With Jones having returned to the testing pool earlier this year, he will likely have to wait and see how the division unfolds following Aspinall’s fight against Gane.
Cormier has outlined what he believes would be a ‘hilarious’ scenario for Jones that could play right into his hands.
“But what if Jon Jones is like, ‘What if Ciryl Gane wins?’ and then Jon’s like, ‘I’m back, I was already in the testing pool, I was in the testing pool before he won, give me a title shot.’ Would that not be the most ultimate move of all time?
“That s— would be hilarious. That s— would be hilarious. He would make $10 million to become the heavyweight champion again.”