Like the majority of in the MMA neighborhood, Ben Askren does not comprehend why Jon Jones’ very first title defense will protest Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
The match was rebooked for the promo’s go back to Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, almost one year to the date of their at first set up reservation– which was scratched by Jones suffering an injury. Askren, a previous UFC rival, wishes to see the very best fighters dealing with the top of the department, and if it depended on him, it would be Tom Aspinall getting the shot.
“I wish to see him battle Tom Aspinall, it does not seem occurring,” Askren informed Daniel Cormier. “It truly draws. It draws that I need to speak versus Stipe since I have absolutely nothing versus him, I really discuss Stipe positively, however he hasn’t battled in permanently. I simply do not comprehend.
“I understand he’s had excellent outcomes, however it’s been 4 years, or something. Tom Aspinall’s been out on these streets beating everybody up, I would like to see Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones, and truthfully, [Francis] Ngannou is elsewhere likewise, so this is a case where you’re simply not getting to see the very best guys combating the very best guys and it draws. Possibly we’re ruined.”
Miocic hasn’t contended considering that losing the heavyweight title when he was completely knocked out by Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021.
Jones will go back to the octagon for the very first time given that winning the heavyweight title versus Ciryl Gane through first-round submission at UFC 285 in March 2023– which will be simply his 2nd look because his win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020.
Aspinall has actually contended 6 times because Miocic’s latest getaway, going 5-1 with all surfaces, with the only loss coming by means of knee injury in his UFC London centerpiece match with Curtis Blaydes in July 2022. Aspinall has actually considering that won the interim heavyweight title, and protected it effectively versus Blaydes with a first-round surface at UFC 304 in July.
Askren continues to question why the UFC continues to return to the Jones vs. Miocic match when he feels Aspinall is the even more engaging alternative.
“Tom Aspinall has actually shown that he’s this guy, and Jon Jones has actually been– well he’s been sort of actively battling– not very active,” Askren stated. “But why can’t we see them? We wish to see them [fight]they’re both there, put them together.”