Daniel Cormier cites Michael Jordan example to push for Jon Jones fighting Tom Aspinall: "The old guard has to get passed"
Jon Jones has continually dismissed the idea of facing current interim UFC heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall, suggesting that the Brit hasn't yet earned his spot by defeating enough big names.
However, Daniel Cormier made a compelling case for why Jones should accept the challenge, citing the history of sports legends and their inevitable battles against rising stars.
In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Jones and a potential fight with Aspinall. The former two-division champion said:
"Shotgun had to fight Jon Jones back in the day. Rampage had to fight Jon Jones back in the day. Those guys were big names that fought him as the young guy that was the champion and he made a name off all of those legends so that by the time I got to him, he was a legend."
Cormier also drew comparisons between Jones' current situation and Michael Jordan's journey to becoming an NBA legend:
"But that was only because he had beaten all those great guys before. It really is the tale of sport, right? The tale of entertainment. Before Michael Jordan could become Michael Jordan, he had to go through Detroit Pistons, who were winning in the '80s. He had to beat the Boston Celtics to get to the finals, who were going back and forth with the Lakers. The old guard has to get passed through."
Watch Daniel Cormier make a case for Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall below (4:40):
Jon Jones is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. 'Bones' has built an extraordinary resume by beating numerous legends throughout his illustrious UFC career.
However, his reluctance to face Tom Aspinall has sparked debate. The Brit, who captured the UFC interim heavyweight title with an impressive first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich is seen as a formidable contender in the heavyweight division.
Despite this, Jones has suggested that Aspinall needs to prove himself further by defeating high-profile opponents before deserving a shot at him.
How beating Tom Aspinall could solidify Jon Jones' legacy further?
With the heavyweight division brimming with rising talents, many in the MMA community believe that Jon Jones' next challenge should come from the new wave of talents like the current interim champion Tom Aspinall, who is coming off three consecutive first-round finishes.
Facing Aspinall will not only help shape the future of the heavyweight division but a potential win over the Brit would further solidify Jones' claim as the greatest fighter in MMA history.
Jon Jones is gearing up to defend his heavyweight crown against former long-time titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. While it is a high-profile matchup, many fans and analysts have expressed concern over Miocic's current form.
At 42-year-old and having been inactive since his vicious second-round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou back in 2021, many perceive Miocic to be past his prime. This has led to criticism of the matchup, with fans questioning whether defeating Miocic at this stage would add much significance to Jones' legacy.