Daniel Cormier thinks it’s time we move on from Jon Jones in the UFC heavyweight division.
For much of the past year, the MMA world has been consumed with the saga of whether or not Jones will unify his UFC heavyweight title with interim champion Tom Aspinall. In recent weeks, things began to look increasingly bleak that the superfight will happen. That downward trend continued on Thursday when Jones admitted he’s not retired but “could really care less about fight,” openly suggesting he may have “punched and kicked people enough.” And for Cormier, that’s enough for the UFC to finally move on.
“Ultimately, it’s time to strip him,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “He doesn’t want to fight this guy. It does not sound like he’s going to fight. It’s time to take the belt, it’s time to move on, and hope that itch he speaks about comes back. And if it does, stick him in there with Tom Aspinall. Give him no other choice. I gotta be honest with you, I would make him fight Tom even if Tom wasn’t the champion, because that’s the fight that matters. Tom Aspinall is ready. Tom is gonna go fight someone else.”
Aspinall won the interim UFC heavyweight title in 2023, after Jones pulled out of his fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 with an injury. Instead, Aspinall fought back-up fighter Sergei Pavlovich, knocking him out in 69 seconds. Aspinall was then passed over for a unification bout so Jones could fight Miocic, and instead defended his interim title last July at UFC 304. Now, Aspinall is the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history and the obvious next fight for Jones, but Jones has steadfastly denied interest in the matchup, saying Aspinall is just another hype train, like everyone else he’s faced. But Cormier isn’t buying it.
“That might have worked before, that’s not working this time,” Cormier said. “That’s where Jones loses me. I get it that he’s seen the great hope of someone who is going to beat him in the past, there’s never been someone like this. ...
“Let me tell you why there’s never been someone like Aspinall: because the way the roles have changed. If this was Jon Jones at 28 years old, no worry for him, and Aspinall would not be the biggest threat to him. The reason Aspinall is the biggest threat today is because he’s 38 years old because he’s lived a life of excess, partying, living, doing all those things that back in the day got him into trouble. ...
“Aspinall is the biggest threat today because the roles have reversed. At 28 years old, Jon would’ve seen Tom a million times over and fought him already. But Jon, at 38, recognizes that this dude is a little better. He’s not afraid, he just doesn’t want to get knocked out. Jon Jones prefers to let his legacy stay as is with the caveat that he didn’t fight Tom Aspinall and run the risk of fighting Tom Aspinall and getting beat by Tom Aspinall. That’s where the difference lies. The difference lies with him knowing he is a tad bit slower. We can all see it. We have eyes. He’s a tad slower. It happens. When you start at 19 and at 21 become the world champion, you’ve been the world champion for 17 years. Of course, you’re going to miss a step.
“But you know who hasn’t? Tom. And that’s where the dangers lie. That’s where the worry comes from. So that’s why we’re seeing a man say, ‘This guy doesn’t really excite me,’ when in reality, it’s exciting, but it’s also very scary. So he’d prefer to leave that legacy in tact, knowing in time everybody forgets. ‘Hey, he fought everybody else.’”
And according to Cormier, that’s OK. Despite the bad optics of this final act in Jones’s career, Cormier says it shouldn’t define him, because all good things come to an end eventually.
“We should not judge him based off one thing,” Cormier said. “We really shouldn’t. But for a long time people asked for him to go up to heavyweight and fight against guys like Cain Velasquez, Stipe, and he was very hesitant about doing that. He fought Stipe at 41, no problem. He fought Ciryl Gane, who is limited, no problem. Now he’s got a guy in front of him that’s very dangerous, very hungry, and he’s going, ‘I don’t want to do this.’
“But guys, guess what? Maybe it’s just over. Sometimes it’s just over. And when you know, you walk away. Unfortunately, he waited so long that it’s going to look like it looks. So right now, it’s time to strip him. Strip him! It’s time to strip him.”
from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/jTY52RS
0 Comments
Dear valued readers,
I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.
Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.
As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.
I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.
Best regards,
LaPhezz