Do you think Jon Jones is actually scared of Aspinall?

[loisestrad]

Jones has more to lose than Tom. Tom already lost a couple of times, so he's not out there protecting his perfect record.

Tom is the one who needs this fight, Jones is the one who could walk into the sunset as the goat. Of course Jones is the one being hesitant, and since Jones is the A-side, the UFC is reluctant to strip him.

 

[BigOlJeet]

He’s scared like chicken, you all see those chicken legs. Jon doesn’t make it through the 2nd round, even juiced Jon Jones loses and he knows this.

 

[Evbo]

He's very scared. He's not scared of fighting Aspinall, he's scared of the possible result, I.E. having a loss on his record that he can't hand-wave away, and also the possibility that he might be forced to admit many things about himself.

I think most 'paths would rather die than chew on some hard truths

 

[Natural Order]

He’s not afraid of him to fight (physically), he’s petrified to take an L at this point in his career.

 

[Ginja_Ninja]

Yes but I also think he was scared of every opponent he has had.

He'd be crazy not to be

 

[Bobby00]

He is not scared. Jones cares about Jones. He is not interested in giving fans what they want. He is looking for the biggest name fights with as little risk as possible. Its smart but unpopular. Aspinall has not enough upside with too many risks. Im not a Jones fan but at this stage of his career he is doing the right move.

 

[PD4838]

Jones is to too arrogant to fear any man, that being said I think he beats Aspinall and I'm a Jones hater.

 

[Russie]

He realizes Tom is the most dangerous out there for him. I wouldn't say that he is scared. He's that confident in himself against most anyone. He's going to do the fight but will take his time agreeing and signing for a fight date. When they meet I'll be rooting for Tom. It's farfetched that Jon would make it easy work.

 

[broc5k]

Afraid of Aspinall? No.

Afraid of losing at this point in his career? Absolutely. He knows that if he loses, that combined with his, uh, “dubious” at best personal choices inside and outside the octagon will effectively wipe out his claim to being in the GOAT conversation in the long run. If he retires undefeated, even if he goes out testing hot, the Jones jock riders will still insist he never lost and is the greatest ever.

 

[JKS]

No, he just wants a lot of money. He knows the fight is in high demand and he's nearing the end of his career. He's in a position to make in one fight what he would make in 3 fights.

 

[JohnMandick]

Every fighter is scared. If they say they aren't, they are lying.

 

[Boomb]

Was this posted already?

 

[Myrddin Wild]

Jones admitted teh challenge is especially daunting for him when he proclaimed his needz that the UFC has to pay him enough to risk his record on. He said that he needz teh payday to be enough that he won't be distracted by the heightened risk against his perfect record.

That's an admission from the man himself.

If we're to debate this question, then we need to debate the nuances beneath that statement,

ATM... his record will stand as undefeated. The nuance of age is an excuse that a huge payday can lessen... & in reality, is legit because the "athletic prime" is real.

The only question is whether the man beyond his athletic prime can still beat a young lion in his prime, that has all teh speculated toolz to be teh one & only man to best him.

Even if teh young lion beats him, it will come wit teh "out of prime" caveat... so Jones' legacy will remain in tact, but will be stained with that "beyond teh prime" loss. However, that's nothing an xtra 10 or 30 million can't pay for that pain.

At this very moment, Jonez can retire & have that immortal vibe on his name. Look at Khabib's immortality, & he doesn't have even a considerable fraction of the title defenses Jones has, nor a move oop in weight.

 

[gibson5413]

I don't believe MMA fighters at this level are afraid of each other in that way. What I do believe is that he is afraid ofhaving a loss on his record.

 

[World eater]

Don't get me started...

Please do…

 

[Squintz]

I remember when over half this forum thought Gane would starch Jones and end his streak.

 

[r-harper-1]

Not physically scared, but definitely scared of losing

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

I think he's aware of the damage it'll do to his legacy considering he's survived multiple positive PED tests, abuse to a significant other and injuring a pregnant woman in a car accident he fled from with the supposed GOAT label intact to some people. If he actually loses a fight, I don't think it's worth it to his ego and how he thinks he's perceived.

Do I think he's afraid? Absolutely not.

This is the man who's attacked a cop car with his head. That's top tier fearlessness.

No it's not. It's top tier coked the fuck out. Jon Jones fled an accident after crashing into a pregnant woman, trying to avoid consequences. Not really what you'd call fearless.

I think he's afraid to lose, not afraid of Aspinall specifically.

 

[Substance Abuse]

No it's not. It's top tier coked the fuck out. Jon Jones fled an accident after crashing into a pregnant woman, trying to avoid consequences. Not really what you'd call fearless.

I think he's afraid to lose, not afraid of Aspinall specifically.

The last part was a joke... lol.

 

[icemun]

His actions speak like he's scared of him, but I'm not sure.

If he ends up not fighting him even though he has the interim belt or he's waiting for Aspinall to fight someone else and Tom loses. So Jon doesn't have to fight him as a result.

Than he looks scared imo.

Although, I guess fear is normal, fear of losing, fear of being humiliated by that particular fighter.

But what do you guys think?

Man if we check Sherdogs archive.

Jones has been scared of EVERYONE his entire CAREER

we're talking. Shogun, Rashad, a rematch with Lyoto, a rematch with Gus. DC, a third fight with DC, ANYONE at HW

and anyone in another weight class he hasnt fought

Jones has stayed shook his entire career yet beating everyone

He's the most shook/succesful fighter in history