The potential grudge match between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall has everyone, including the legendary Georges St-Pierre, intrigued and confused. This heavyweight showdown has been a long time coming, with both fighters chasing a unification bout, but circumstances have kept it from materializing. Jones' injury and subsequent focus on Stipe Miocic, along with his disinterest in granting Aspinall an undisputed title shot, have delayed the highly anticipated match.
However, the feud between these two heavyweights refuses to die down. Aspinall, who moved on after Jones' retirement, has expressed interest in fighting at the UFC White House event in 2026. Jones, on the other hand, has targeted Alex Pereira for his comeback, but the mere mention of Aspinall keeps the possibility of a confrontation alive.
St-Pierre, a former training partner of Jones, leans towards his old friend in this hypothetical match-up. He acknowledges Jones' unparalleled achievements and his status as the best, but he also recognizes Aspinall's youth and momentum. The recent eye gouge incident, which halted Aspinall's momentum, adds an intriguing twist to the narrative. St-Pierre believes a rematch is likely, given the close and exciting nature of their previous fight.
But here's where it gets controversial... St-Pierre admits that betting against Jon Jones is a risky move. Despite Jones' age and time away from the sport, his track record speaks for itself. "He's Jon Jones," St-Pierre reminds us, emphasizing the fighter's legendary status.
As for the MMA pound-for-pound list, Jones' historical reign at light heavyweight guarantees him a spot, even though he's fought sporadically since 2020. Currently, Islam Makhachev leads the list, but UFC champions like Ilia Topuria, Merab Dvalishvili, Alexandre Pantoja, and Alex Pereira also have strong arguments.
St-Pierre, a two-division UFC champion himself, feels Jones' name must always be mentioned as long as he's active. He includes Makhachev, Topuria, Merab, and Arman Tsarukyan on the list, but he believes Jones deserves a place there too, given his impressive career.
And this is the part most people miss... The rumored White House fight between Jones and Pereira would be an intriguing development. Pereira, one of the top fighters right now, would face a formidable challenge in Jones. It's a fight that, on paper, would be a great spectacle.
So, who do you think would win in a potential Jones vs. Aspinall grudge match? And what about the rumored White House fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
