Tom Aspinall will defend his interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 304, but the path to unifying the belts and becoming the undisputed champion remains uncertain.
With Jon Jones set to return in November to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, Aspinall finds himself on the sidelines despite his desire to face Jones. UFC analyst Laura Sanko believes that Aspinall’s claim as the best heavyweight in the sport is valid, regardless of not facing Jones.
Aspinall has dominated his opponents, with only one loss on his record due to injury. On the other hand, Jones has only fought once at heavyweight, defeating Ciryl Gane to claim the title. Despite the upcoming fight between Jones and Miocic, Sanko questions if it will determine the top heavyweight in the sport.
Sanko believes that a fight between Jones and Aspinall would truly determine the best heavyweight in the UFC. However, she acknowledges that Jones has already solidified his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
The possibility of Jones retiring after his fight with Miocic raises questions about potential future matchups. Sanko suggests that Jones may be more interested in facing Alex Pereira rather than Aspinall for his next fight.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Jones’ future, Sanko acknowledges that a fight between Jones and Pereira could shake up the UFC divisions. If Jones decides to continue fighting, a matchup against Pereira could keep him in the sport a bit longer.
The potential matchups in the heavyweight division are creating excitement among fans and analysts alike. Whether it’s Jones vs. Aspinall or Jones vs. Pereira, the future of the UFC heavyweight division remains unpredictable.