Like most within the MMA neighborhood, Ben Askren doesn’t perceive why Jon Jones’ first title protection will likely be towards Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
The matchup was rebooked for the promotion’s return to Madison Sq. Backyard on Nov. 16, practically one yr to the date of their initially scheduled reserving — which was scratched by Jones struggling an harm. Askren, a previous UFC competitor, desires to see the perfect fighters going through the highest of the division, and if it had been as much as him, it could be Tom Aspinall getting the shot.
“I wish to see him struggle Tom Aspinall, it doesn’t look like occurring,” Askren advised Daniel Cormier. “It actually sucks. It sucks that I’ve to talk towards Stipe as a result of I’ve nothing towards him, I truly talk about Stipe favorably, however he hasn’t fought in eternally. I simply don’t perceive.
“I do know he’s had nice outcomes, but it surely’s been 4 years, or one thing. Tom Aspinall’s been out on these streets beating everybody up, I might like to see Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones, and truthfully, [Francis] Ngannou is someplace else additionally, so this can be a case the place you’re simply not attending to see the perfect guys combating the perfect guys and it sucks. Possibly we’re spoiled.”
Miocic hasn’t competed since shedding the heavyweight title when he was brutally knocked out by Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021.
Jones will return to the octagon for the primary time since successful the heavyweight title towards Ciryl Gane by way of first-round submission at UFC 285 in March 2023 — which will likely be simply his second look since his win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020.
Aspinall has competed six instances since Miocic’s most up-to-date outing, going 5-1 with all finishes, with the lone loss coming by way of knee harm in his UFC London primary occasion matchup with Curtis Blaydes in July 2022. Aspinall has since received the interim heavyweight title, and defended it efficiently towards Blaydes with a first-round end at UFC 304 in July.
Askren continues to surprise why the UFC continues to return to the Jones vs. Miocic matchup when he feels Aspinall is the way more compelling choice.
“Tom Aspinall has confirmed that he’s this man, and Jon Jones has been — effectively he’s been form of actively combating — not tremendous energetic,” Askren mentioned. “However why can’t we see them? We wish to see them [fight], they’re each there, put them collectively.”
