UFC icon explains why Stipe Miocic "probably got the best shot" at beating Jon Jones over Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira
A UFC icon recently shared his opinion on whom among Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, and Alex Pereira has the best chance of winning against Jon Jones. Former heavyweight champion Randy Couture claimed that Miocic has the superior skill set of the three to secure the heavyweight title.
Jones has been interacting with fans on social media on a regular basis as he recovers, with the goal of returning later this year. According to reports, the UFC heavyweight champion is set to return at UFC 309 against Miocic, after his injury forced the cancellation of their UFC 295 bout last year.
Meanwhile, many believe that Aspinall, who is set to defend his interim heavyweight title at UFC 304 later this month, should be Jones' next opponent.
Even though Aspinall has a strong case, Pereira, who is coming off a dominant win against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, has expressed his desire to move up to heavyweight and potentially challenge Jones.
Meanwhile, Couture feels that the oldest of the three potential challenges has the best shot of dethroning ‘Bones’. In an interview with InsideFighting, 'The Natural' claimed:
“I think right now, because of experience, Stipe’s probably got the best shot at beating Jon. Aspinall has that raw physical ability and is still green enough and young enough that he’s going to be tough for Jon to deal with, especially if Jon waits any longer because he’s getting stronger and stronger each time out and I think the longer Jon waits, the better he’s going to be, he’s going to be in full stride by the time that fight happens so it’s interesting. Pereira has some things to prove, moving up is no easy task.''
Check out Randy Couture's comments below (14:38):
Stipe Miocic responds to charges of holding up the heavyweight division
Stipe Miocic recently spoke to MMA journalist Shakiel Mahjouri about "holding up" the UFC heavyweight division while waiting for the Jon Jones fight.
The UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is also waiting to fight for the undisputed title, putting pressure on Miocic to fight him while Jones recovers from his injury.
When asked about Aspinall's dilemma of being stuck and waiting, Miocic responded:
"I get it. I mean, I'd feel the same way, I'm not taking anything away from him [Aspinall]. The UFC can do what they want. It is what it is. There's only one guy I want to fight and that's Jon Jones...there were a couple of times when I was ready to fight him [Aspinall] but they gave it to another guy. I mean, what am I supposed to do, you know? I’m not holding up any division like everyone says. I don’t care, do what you want and stop crying."
Check out Stipe Miocic's comments below: