The wait has been long and frustrating for interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to get a fight with Jon Jones. The buzz began all the way back after UFC 295. However, since then, the English standout has stepped into the Octagon just once, and not against the man everyone’s been waiting for. But the fans and experts have already started making predictions for the fight, and now Paddy Pimblett has joined them as well, but he has a different take on it. Much like Tom Aspinall, Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett has soared to international stardom over the past five years. The two are close friends, but even that bond doesn’t cloud Pimblett’s judgment.
The 30-year-old made it clear that he just can’t pick against ‘Bones’ in the fight. There is no doubt that Jon Jones is considered by many as the greatest MMA fighter, and Pimblett thinks no differently. Despite Jon Jones being at the twilight of his career, ‘The Baddy’ feels the UFC heavyweight champion still has the best fighting IQ in the business.
While Tom Aspinall is young and has the power to knock out anyone, Paddy Pimblett feels this might not be as easy as many are predicting. A clip shared by UFC Europe showcased the Scouser’s take on their fight. During the video, the 30-year-old fighter seemed a bit reluctant to pick ‘The Honey Badger’ as his favorite in that fight.
He said, “I just. I can’t pick. I love Aspinall. He’s been a mate and that but I just can never pick against Jon Jones. Because we have never seen him get beat. I think now if anyone’s going to beat him, it is Aspinall. Aspinall could just knock him out and come out with his hands and knock him clean out. I just, I’ve never picked against Jon Jones. I’ve been watching Jon Jones since he become champ. When I was a kid, know what I mean? Since I started watching the UFC in like 2009, 2010.”
Pimblett has no doubt that if there’s one fighter who can beat Jones, it’s Aspinall. But he believes that way ‘Bones’ plans his fight, the interim champion may find it hard to get past him.
He further added, “I’ve been watching Jon Jones ever since then. Before he won the belt. I can remember watching the fight live when he got disqualified for the 12 to 6 elbows. That’s how long I’ve been watching Jon Jones. And it’s just the way he game plans. He finds a way to beat someone, he works on that exact thing on how to beat them. But if anyone’s going to beat him, it’s Aspinall.”
The hard-hitting Brit is definitely at the peak of his powers. Not only has he improved as a fighter, but he has also worked extra hard to become one of the best in the division. Despite wasting some of his time waiting to get this particular fight, Aspinall still feels he is lucky.
Tom Aspinall feels he is at the right age to get himself a title fight against Jones
For the interim champion, patience might just be another tool in his arsenal. The Manchester native is already a rare breed in the heavyweight division. He has combined his formidable size with lightning-fast speed that few in his weight class can match. But according to Aspinall, there’s yet another factor working in his favor. Well, what’s that? According to him, it’s his age. Aspinall considers himself “lucky” to be stuck in limbo at 32, still in his prime. He knows he’s younger than most of the division, and that’s a card he’s more than happy to play.
Even Jon Jones once admitted he wasn’t eager to face dangerous rising contenders like Aspinall. And for the Englishman, that hesitation speaks volumes—it’s a real edge he’s holding onto. While speaking to Demetrious Johnson on his YouTube channel, the interim champion said, “I’m quite lucky in that regard because I don’t feel like I have a lot of miles on the clock, and 32 is quite young for heavyweight, but I would definitely fight if I could.”
As fans, we can only hope that we get to see these two outstanding fighters lock horns inside the Octagon. The fight will provide an opportunity for both fighters to prove to the world who exactly is the best in the division.
Can Tom Aspinall get past the challenge of Jon Jones? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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