Daniel Cormier looks at Tom Aspinall and sees a fighter who is truly capable of giving Jon Jones his first legitimate MMA loss.
After Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) blew through Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds to defend his interim heavyweight title in Saturday’s UFC 304 headliner in Manchester, England., calls for a unification bout with Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) once again grew to a fever pitch from within the fight community.
Aspinall respectfully called out heavyweight champion Jones, who is expected to return from injury against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on Nov. 9 in New York, both in the octagon during his post-fight interview with Cormier, and at the post-fight news conference . UFC CEO Dana White also stated he wants to see Aspinall against the Jones vs. Miocic winner, but “Bones” has remained mum on the topic.
Cormier said he thinks the pieces will eventually come together for Jones vs. Aspinall at some point down the line. If and when it does happen, he thinks Aspinall had a very good shot at winning.
“We are ultimately looking at the best heavyweight on the planet,” Cormier said to Chael Sonnen on their “Good Guy/Bad Guy” podcast on ESPN. “Because I don’t know if Jon Jones will beat this guy. But I will not be quick to say Jon Jones is afraid of him or that it’s a foregone conclusion that he beats Jon. Because I’ve been in there with Jones. I know how tough he is, I know how smart he is and I know how much he loves to compete. And if you love to compete as much as that guy does, he can never been counted out from a fight.”
Cormier has as good of insight as anyone on what it would take to beat Jones. They shared the octagon twice before in one of the biggest rivalries in UFC history, and they still remain some of the more competitive contest of Jones’ career.
Aspinall could the one to complete the mission and knock Jones off the top of the mountaintop, but the major question still remains if he will be able to secure the fight.
Cormier said if there’s one thing he “could give a negative grade on” to Aspinall, he said, it’s that he should’ve been harsher in his callout to Jones in the octagon, because he believes conflict is the best way to secure a fight and not kindness.
UFC 304 post-event facts: Tom Aspinall shortens fight time record in rare interim title defense
5 biggest takeaways from UFC 304: Jon Jones' legacy loses credibility without Tom Aspinall title unification fight
UFC 304 social media reactions: Tom Aspinall's 60-second finish of Curtis Blaydes leads to calls for Jon Jones
Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304: Best photos
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304 .
curtis-blaydes--UFC-304---media-day
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-ufc-304-media-day
Share this
image gallery
curtis-blaydes-ufc-304-official-weigh-ins
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-ufc-304-official-weigh-ins
Share this
image gallery
ufc-304-press-conference-tom-aspinall-curtis-blaydes-faceoff
Share this
image gallery
Tom Aspinall, UFC 295
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-ufc-304-official-weigh-ins-1
Share this
image gallery
curtis-blaydes-ufc-304-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-ufc-304-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-ufc-304-ceremonial-weigh-ins-1
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-curtis-blaydes-ufc-304-ceremonial-weigh-in-faceoff Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-vs-curtis-blaydes-ufc-304-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-curtis-blaydes-ufc-304-ceremonial-weigh-ins
Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-leon-edwards-ufc-304
Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England looks on ahead of the interim UFC… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England looks on ahead of the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall fights Curtis Blaydes during UFC 304. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall fights Curtis Blaydes during UFC 304. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall (top) of England knocks out Curtis Blaydes of the… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall (top) of England knocks out Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. in the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes, UFC 304 1 (UFC) Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes, UFC 304 (via UFC)
Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes react after their fight. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against Curtis… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. in the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against Curtis… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. in the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall celebrates after winning his fight against Curtis Blaydes. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against Curtis… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England reacts after his knockout victory against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. in the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall celebrates after winning his fight against Curtis Blaydes. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes embrace after their fight. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes embrace after their fight. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall celebrates after winning his fight against Curtis Blaydes. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England raises the interim UFC heavyweight championship belt… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England raises the interim UFC heavyweight championship belt after his knockout victory against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall celebrates after winning his fight against Curtis Blaydes. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall celebrates after winning his fight against Curtis Blaydes. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England raises the interim UFC heavyweight championship belt… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England raises the interim UFC heavyweight championship belt after his knockout victory against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
UFC 304: Edwards v Muhammad 2 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England raises the interim UFC heavyweight championship belt… MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England raises the interim UFC heavyweight championship belt after his knockout victory against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
more Share this
image gallery
Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28,… Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 304 - Manchester - Co-op Live, Manchester, Britain - July 28, 2024. Tom Aspinall walks after winning his fight against Curtis Blaydes. REUTERS/John Sibley
more Share this
image gallery
tom-aspinall-ufc-304-post-fight-interview_65b47a
Share this
image gallery
Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes, UFC 304 Scorecard
Share this
image gallery
Most Popular
Comments / 0