Jon Jones And Tom Aspinall: Why A Grudge Match Is A Bad Idea

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 30, 2025

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Stylistic Mismatch Favors Jones Significantly

The proposed Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight presents a significant stylistic mismatch that heavily favors the former champion. Analyzing their fighting styles reveals a scenario where Aspinall's strengths are easily neutralized by Jones's considerable advantages.

• Jones's exceptional reach and wrestling dominance would neutralize Aspinall's strengths. Jones's significant reach advantage would allow him to control the distance, preventing Aspinall from effectively utilizing his powerful striking. His unparalleled wrestling skills would further negate Aspinall's striking game by taking the fight to the ground at will.

• Aspinall relies heavily on striking and takedown defense, which are areas Jones excels in countering. Aspinall’s striking, while potent, is not as diverse or defensively sound as Jones's. Jones has faced and defeated numerous strikers with superior takedown defense, suggesting Aspinall's reliance on this aspect of his game is a major vulnerability.

• A ground game battle would heavily favor Jones' superior grappling skills. Jones is renowned for his devastating ground game, encompassing a wide range of submissions and positional control. Aspinall, while improving, is not yet at a level to compete with Jones’ grappling prowess.

• The size difference, even at heavyweight, could be problematic for Aspinall. While both are heavyweights, Jones's frame and reach advantage could make a significant difference in the clinch and ground work, potentially negating Aspinall's attempts to overpower him.

A detailed analysis of their fighting styles reveals a significant mismatch. Jones's superior reach and grappling skills would likely nullify Aspinall's aggressive striking approach, rendering the fight predictable and potentially one-sided, a far cry from the exciting grudge match some envision.

High Risk, Low Reward for Aspinall

For Tom Aspinall, the potential fight with Jon Jones presents a high-risk, low-reward scenario that could severely hinder his career trajectory.

• Aspinall faces a high risk of injury or a significant career setback against Jones. Jones's power and skills present a real threat of injury to Aspinall, potentially derailing his progress significantly.

• A loss to Jones would severely impact Aspinall's momentum and ranking. A defeat against a fighter of Jones's caliber would be a significant blow to his confidence and ranking, potentially setting back his title aspirations considerably.

• The potential rewards for Aspinall are minimal considering the significant risks. Even a victory against Jones would likely not catapult Aspinall to an immediate title shot. The risk-reward ratio simply does not favor Aspinall at this stage in his career.

• Aspinall should focus on building his momentum against less risky opponents. To solidify his position as a top contender, Aspinall needs to face and defeat several high-ranked opponents to prove his consistency and resilience. A fight with Jones prematurely jeopardizes his long-term goals.

Jones Needs a More Credible Challenger

While a fight with Aspinall might generate some buzz, it ultimately fails to serve Jon Jones’s long-term goals and the needs of the UFC heavyweight division.

• Facing Aspinall wouldn't enhance Jones's legacy or cement his dominance. A victory over Aspinall wouldn't significantly bolster Jones’s already impressive legacy or add considerable weight to his claim as the top heavyweight.

• A fight against a more established top contender would provide a more meaningful challenge. To truly test his skills and cement his position, Jones needs a fight against a proven top contender who possesses a similar skill set and experience.

• The UFC heavyweight division has other worthy contenders who would present a greater test. Fighters like Stipe Miocic, Curtis Blaydes, and even a potential rematch with Francis Ngannou offer far more compelling matchups and a greater test of Jones's abilities.

• A fight with Stipe Miocic or a rematch with Francis Ngannou would be far more compelling for fans. These matchups are far more marketable and exciting for fans, satisfying the demand for high-stakes fights and providing a more decisive answer to who reigns supreme in the heavyweight division.

For Jones, the Aspinall fight lacks the necessary weight to further solidify his claim as the top heavyweight. He needs a challenge that genuinely tests his skills against established and proven heavyweights, not a rising star with a clear stylistic disadvantage.

Conclusion

A Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight, while potentially exciting on the surface, is ultimately a bad idea. The stylistic mismatch heavily favors Jones, while presenting Aspinall with significant risk and minimal reward. Furthermore, it wouldn't significantly benefit Jones's legacy, who should be matched against more established top contenders. The focus should be on matchups that serve both fighters and the UFC's goals in building the heavyweight division. Let's focus on more logical and exciting matchups in the UFC heavyweight division rather than pushing for this ill-advised Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall grudge match. Let’s advocate for fights that truly elevate the sport instead of potentially hindering the careers of talented fighters.