Curtis Blaydes doesn't see Jon Jones fighting anyone after Stipe Miocic, believes Tom Aspinall clash at UFC 304 is for "the real belt"
Curtis Blaydes has speculated that Jon Jones will retire following a potential bout with Stipe Miocic, stating that the reigning undisputed champion has no plans to unify the title with the winner of his UFC 304 clash against Tom Aspinall.
'Bones' is currently recuperating from a pectoral injury that forced him to withdraw from a title defense against Miocic at UFC 295 in November last year. This injury has temporarily sidelined Jones, and plans are underway to reschedule the bout with Miocic.
With Jones away from active competition, the UFC has scheduled a rematch between interim heavyweight champion Aspinall and Blaydes for the co-main event at UFC 304 on July 27.
In an ideal scenario, the victor of Jones vs. Miocic would face the winner of Aspinall vs. Blaydes. While Miocic's plans following a potential upset are uncertain, many anticipate that Jones will win and possibly retire. Although 'Bones' hinted at a title unification by labeling Aspinall vs. Blaydes as a bout for the No. 1 contender spot, 'Razor' remains skeptical, believing Jones' statement lacks a firm commitment.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Blaydes asserted that Jones is likely to retire following a potential bout against Miocic:
"If I win or if Aspinall wins, I don’t think Jon’s going to fight anyone outside of Stipe. After Stipe, he walks away into the sunset."
'Razor' further mentioned that he isn't counting on a showdown with Jones ever materializing and expressed that, in his view, the upcoming bout with Aspinall holds the significance of an undisputed title fight:
"That’s how I’m viewing it [as an undisputed title fight]. They [fans] probably don’t understand the concept of interim vs. undisputed, and they don’t care. All they see is a shiny belt and you holding it in a UFC octagon. That’s all they need. So, to me, it is the real belt."
Check out Curtis Blaydes' comments below:
Check out the full interview below:
Curtis Blaydes believes Jon Jones isn't willing to risk his perceived "GOAT" status
During the same interview with MMA Junkie, Curtis Blaydes voiced skepticism about whether Jon Jones' widely perceived status as the greatest of all time (GOAT) could be changed by any individual fight. He drew a parallel to the ongoing debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James in basketball:
"Are you going to be like, 'Oh, that was the fight that finally cemented Jon as the GOAT.' Either you believe he’s the GOAT already, or you don’t. It’s like MJ vs. LeBron. If you already don’t believe that LeBron is the GOAT, there isn’t anything he can do to change your mind, and vice versa."
'Razor' also implied that the undisputed heavyweight champion won't take any actions that might endanger his current reputation in the eyes of both fans and critics:
"However you view Jon Jones at this moment or after he fights Stipe, that’ll be the lasting image. And I don’t think he’s going to do anything to jeopardize that." [15:08]