Jon Jones just had a big win, knocking out Stipe Miocic in the third round to defend his UFC heavyweight title. Now, people are talking about a fight between Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall. Many believe Aspinall might be the one to give Jones his first real loss.
Firas Zahabi, the coach who guided Georges St-Pierre’s legendary career, thinks if Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall fight, there’s only one clear winner.
Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Says Tom Aspinall Could Defeat Jon Jones
Jon Jones has made it clear that he doesn’t want to face Tom Aspinall and would prefer a fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira instead. Firas Zahabi, a respected MMA coach, believes Jones will do whatever he can to avoid fighting Aspinall. However, with Dana White recently talking about a potential fight between Jones and Pereira, it seems like that may be Jones’s only choice. Zahabi believes Jones would likely handle Pereira easily but thinks Aspinall could beat Jones in under two rounds if they fight at heavyweight.
“I don’t think Jon Jones is gonna fight Aspinall,” Zahabi said on his YouTube channel.
“The was a once upon a time where I thought he would and he could win, but I went over Aspinall’s fights and I’m thinking this is the man who can beat Jon Jones.
“At heavyweight, this is going to be a dangerous fight. Jon is not crazy. Jon is going to go down to fight Pereira, but I don’t think the UFC gives him Periera. I don’t think so. He has to fight Aspinall or nothing. I don’t think the UFC wants Jon Jones to beat Alex Pereira, which I think he would, he’d crush Pereira.
“I think [Aspinall] could be the man who beats Jon Jones and finishes Jon Jones. I don’t think anybody could last more than two rounds with Aspinall, nobody in the world.
“Pound-for-pound that would be a different story, but the fact that he’s the biggest, strongest guy in the world, I don’t know if anybody could ever beat him.”
Watch the video below:
Firas Zahabi Names Tom Aspinall the Heavyweight GOAT
Zahabi made a big statement about Aspinall, even before he faces Jones in the Octagon.
“I think he could be the man who beats Jon Jones and finishes him,” Zahabi added. “I don’t think anybody can last more than two rounds with Aspinall. Nobody in the world. Now, pound-for-pound? That would be a different story. But the fact that he’s the biggest, strongest guy in the world at heavyweight, I don’t think anybody can beat him.
“A lot of people say Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight of all time, no he’s not!” Zahabi continued. “He was the greatest heavyweight of all time, then Francis Ngannou dethroned him, and Ngannou proved to be the greatest heavyweight of all time. Now in my mind, unofficially, of course, it’s Tom Aspinall, the greatest heavyweight of all time…very possible [Jones] gets his lights put out.”
Tom Aspinall is getting closer to his chance to fight for the heavyweight title in 2025. He was at the cage watching Jones vs. Miocic and even stepped in as a backup. Now, Tom shared that talks are already happening for his fight with Jon Jones, and he’s feeling more confident about it happening soon.
