UPDATE: Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has publicly criticized Tom Aspinall, labeling him a “one-trick pony” following Aspinall’s recent title fight at UFC 321 on October 25, 2023. The fight, which ended in a no-contest, showcased Aspinall’s struggles against Ciryl Gane, raising eyebrows across the MMA community.
Aspinall’s first title defense was abruptly halted just 4 minutes and 35 seconds into the first round due to an accidental eye poke from Gane. Despite the bout’s early conclusion, Jones expressed that he was more impressed with Gane’s performance than Aspinall’s. “Tom’s a great athlete, but I do feel like he’s a one-trick pony,” Jones stated during an appearance on the NoScripts Podcast.
Jones elaborated, criticizing Aspinall’s grappling skills, claiming they are “incredibly overrated.” He acknowledged Aspinall’s striking ability, particularly his 1-2 combination, but insisted that there is little else in his arsenal that poses a threat. “He couldn’t touch Ciryl Gane at all,” Jones remarked, emphasizing Gane’s comfort and control during their brief encounter.
This scathing assessment comes as Aspinall is still recovering from the eye poke, with reports indicating he has not regained full vision in either eye. According to his father and head coach, the right eye remains particularly compromised. Aspinall’s immediate future in the octagon remains uncertain as he deals with these lingering effects.
Meanwhile, the UFC is reportedly planning to rebook the championship matchup between Aspinall and Gane, as confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White. The timeline for this rematch is still under discussion, but it is anticipated to occur in the near future.
Jones, who has a professional record of 28-1, had been linked to a potential title unification bout with Aspinall earlier this year. However, he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in June 2023, only to hint at a possible comeback against current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at a UFC event planned at the White House next year. Notably, Jones has not shown interest in facing Aspinall.
As these developments unfold, the MMA community is closely watching the implications of Jones’ comments and Aspinall’s recovery. Fans are eager to see how this narrative evolves, especially with potential title implications on the line.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
