So Aspinall's Undisputed Now? Let's Talk Reality in the HW Division.

[ultra321]

OK, Sherdoggers, Jon Jones has officially retired, and our new "undisputed" UFC Heavyweight Champion is Tom Aspinall. The online community is absolutely losing their minds, acting like this is some kind of cosmic justice because bones supposedly "ducked" him for years.

And honestly, while it's come as a surprise , I think some of you need a serious reality check before you go crowning Aspinall the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Here's a little perspective for those blinded by the hype:

Let's cut through the noise about Jones "ducking" Aspinall. While everyone was clamoring for that fight, let's look at the actual facts regarding recent activity for a champion. Jon Jones, the man who just vacated the undisputed heavyweight belt, defended his HW title against Stipe Miocic in November 2024 at UFC 309.

Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall's last outing was his interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 at UFC 304. So, if you're talking about who was more recently active as a heavyweight champion (interim or undisputed), it was Jones. Plain and simple. Jones had a commitment to Miocic, a legendary heavyweight in his own right, and he honored it. Period.

Now, Aspinall is out there proclaiming he's going to be this super active champion, and you worms are eating it up like candy. And sure, it sounds great on paper. Everyone wants an active champ.

But let's be real: the heavyweight division isn't a cakewalk, one well timed punch and your title reign is done. Injuries are a constant threat. Jon Jones, the GOAT, meticulously planned his career and his fights for longevity and dominance. To expect Aspinall to suddenly be fighting every few months in this division after a relatively short career is, frankly, naive.

By putting Aspinall on this massive pedestal right now, and hyping up this "Jones ducked him" narrative, many of you are essentially setting him up for failure. When (not if) he eventually has to take time off due to injury, or if he can't fight as frequently as he's promising, will you all still be cheering? Or will the same crowd calling him the savior of the division turn on him for not living up to an unrealistic standard you helped create?

Look, Aspinall is clearly a good fighter, but let's not rewrite history or project some kind of flawless, ultra-active reign onto him just because Jon Jones retired. Jones cemented his legacy, defended against a legend, and exited on his own terms. Aspinall now has the real belt, and the real pressure.

My advice? Enjoy the moment, but maybe hold off on the hype talk and the unrealistic expectations for the kid. The big boys of heavyweight division have a way of humbling even the best intentions - there's a reason that belt doesn't stay with the holders for many defences typically.

 

[Mind Mine]

Can we just forget Jones exists now?

I don’t think you understand how many people have their identity attached to being a hater of Jon Jones. They have nowhere to go so they will continue talking about the man and in particular his genitals because they is da gaze like Bones

 

[Skarsgard]

I don’t think you understand how many people have their identity attached to being a hater of Jon Jones. They have nowhere to go so they will continue talking about the man and in particular his genitals because they is da gaze like Bones

The only posts I've seen today have been from people still tangling from his sack. If they stop throating him, the haters will move onto someone relevant.

 

[haj02]

This thread really proves that none of you seem to care that Tom became interim champ because Jon was injured and incapable of fighting.

Everybody saying Jon wasted a year of Tom's time is a dishonest hack. Your BEST CASE was if Jon had fought Tom in November and if not and he fought Stipe like he did THEN you start the clock. You can't say he should've fought Tom last March or whatever. There's a reason he wasn't fighting Stipe then either.

The truth is of no interest, only the anti Jones agenda. They aren't even Aspinall fans, it's the same people that will swear up and down they are a Francis fan but didn't buy his boxing PPVs.

 

[Michael Wetzel]

At this point in his career Jones (like many top fighters in their late 30s) will only take fights if he will get paid a lot and/or has an easy path to victory. Aspinall is high risk-low reward; he is a hard hitter but not a draw. Francis is high risk-high reward, Alex is low risk-high reward, Stipe was low risk-low reward.

 

[markg171]

An interim title should never be defended while the undisputed champ is able to fight.

The interim title was created and later defended because Jon was injured and incapable of fighting.

Hope this helps buddy.

 

[prime_lobov]

Mods better delete this thread! TS violated the rules by not explicitly gargling Tom Aspinall’s nuts at least once per paragraph.

 

[Doughie99]

Jones ego can't take a loss. He only fights if he is 100% sure he will win. He didn't even fight Chael on short notice.
He is NOT confident that he beats Aspinall, that's why he priced himself out and ran away.

THIS

 

[BEATDOWNS]

The only fights are Gane and Almeida he has beaten all the other decent HW's already

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Tai Tuivasa on a 5 fight losing streak ranked at #11 says it all. lol

 

[method115]

HW division has been garbage for a long time but it's in the worst place it's ever been right now. Same with LHW.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Time to bring in the Karate Combate HW Champ to shake things up a bit. I don't fancy Tom's chances on this one though

 

[JBJ was here]

The only fights are Gane and Almeida he has beaten all the other decent HW's already

View attachment 1100768

Yup. There's a reason Teixeira is only two wins away from a title fight despite having nothing but skills and dreams on his resume.

 

[CatchtheseHands]

Yup. There's a reason Teixeira is only two wins away from a title fight despite having nothing but skills and dreams on his resume.

Texeira is a hype job. All these new guys aside from Waldo have been getting stopped by the old guard. I don't have a doubt Derrick is derailing Texeira and getting his ass out of there early.

 

[TJH Exitium]

Jon Jones never

Widely lauded as the UFC HW GOAT. Why wouldn't you want that name on your resume. It's the icing on the cake of a GOAT career.

He wanted to fight Stipe because a past-prime Stipe who go KTFO in his previous fight is MUCH easier and less risky than Tom Aspinall, who Jones was hilariously afraid of.

Good riddance to Jones; a drug abusing, PED abusing, woman abusing degenerate.

Look at what his staunchest fans have been reduced to lmao

 

[BigOlJeet]

The truth is of no interest, only the anti Jones agenda. They aren't even Aspinall fans, it's the same people that will swear up and down they are a Francis fan but didn't buy his boxing PPVs.

You’re a retard if you buy PPV’s, also Jones is a can.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

The truth is of no interest, only the anti Jones agenda. They aren't even Aspinall fans, it's the same people that will swear up and down they are a Francis fan but didn't buy his boxing PPVs.

More like it's the same people YOU will call Francis fans because you only work in binary categorizations

>Saying the truth is of no interest when you're the one who started the thread with a biased double standard

>Acting like "anti Jones" sentiment isn't unearned

 

[nonoob]

Jon Jones wanted to fight Stipe because a past-prime Stipe who go KTFO in his previous fight is MUCH easier and less risky than Tom Aspinall, who Jones was hilariously afraid of.

Good riddance to Jones; a drug abusing, PED abusing, woman abusing degenerate.

Look at what his staunchest fans have been reduced to lmao

Jailbird Jon has been outshined, despite Dana-glazing.​

 

[VAfan]

my lord what a shill thread. what is jones paying you, five bucks a post?

 

[Skarsgard]

Texeira is a hype job. All these new guys aside from Waldo have been getting stopped by the old guard. I don't have a doubt Derrick is derailing Texeira and getting his ass out of there early.

Even Waldo arguably lost to Arlovski and Spivac. Don't remember his fight against Despaigne though.