Jon Jones should not walk away from Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall destroyed Marcin Tybura at last weekend’s UFC Fight Night in London, and he’s hoping Jon Jones is in his future. Aspinall bounced back after tearing his ACL against Curtis Blaydes, and based on the strength of his performance along with the marketing of Jones facing a hot UK prospect at the O2 Arena could be enough to postpone his retirement.
Jones is allegedly contemplating retirement provided he successfully defends his heavyweight title against an inactive and aging Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. Aside from Miocic, Sergei Pavlovich is also waiting in the wings. However, there isn’t a real demand for Jones vs. Pavlovich.
Jones vs. Aspinall is a big enough fight, and a winnable situation, to keep Jones from dipping out after Miocic. UFC President Dana White may have to sweeten the pot to keep Jones in the UFC for a few more fights, but it sounds like the kind of fight they would be rushing to make. If not, then the belt will be vacated for the second time in two years, making the heavyweight title the most prestigious paper title in all combat sports.
Daniel Cormier believes Khamzat Chimaev earns title shot after beating Paulo Costa
From one barren division to another, Khamzat Chimaev should be ready for a title shot after being Paulo Costa according to Daniel Cormier. Chimaev and Costa settle their long-standing grudge at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, and the winner isn’t expected to go to the back of the line. Though Adesanya will be facing Sean Strickland at UFC 293, and may face Dricus Du Plessis following that, Cormier believes Chimaev beating Costa is all he’ll need to lock in a title fight.
Cormier isn’t wrong. All the hype surrounding Costa makes it a lock that Chimaev gets a big fight after a win. What will be interesting is if the UFC would risk putting Chimaev in with another ranked contender as Adesanya works his way through Strickland and Du Plessis. They might have to. Adesanya isn’t exactly getting two easy fights before the potential showdown with Chimaev.
Jared Cannonier weighs in on Adesanya vs. Strickland
Jared Cannonier doesn’t believe Sean Strickland has a chance against Israel Adesanya. The former title challenger has experience with both men, losing to Adesanya and UFC 276 and defeating Strickland last December, and doesn’t think Strickland has it in him. Speaking to Helen Yee, Cannonier said, “Sean doesn’t even believe he could win that fight… I don’t think Sean will be able to work his jab and his funky-a** footwork, and his ability to evade shots. Izzy is way too long. He’s a sniper. Izzy is too diverse and versatile with his striking, and I don’t think Sean’s grappling is good enough to make it a factor to make it as competitive.”
Strickland responded via social media, dismissing Cannonier’s criticisms. It’s a rather tame response by Strickland’s standards, but he’s likely more focused on the gargantuan task ahead of unseating Adesanya in a few months.
