In the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts, legacies are forged in the octagon, but whispers of unfulfilled matchups often linger long after the final bell. Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever grace the sport, finds his formidable career once again under the microscope, this time from a familiar voice. Corey Anderson, a former top contender who once felt the frustration of a seemingly elusive shot at “Bones,” has now voiced a pointed prediction for rising heavyweight star Tom Aspinall: don`t hold your breath for a fight with Jones.
A Recurring Narrative: Anderson`s Past, Aspinall`s Present
Anderson`s perspective isn`t merely speculative; it’s rooted in a past that bears striking similarities to Aspinall’s current situation. Years before Aspinall became the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, Anderson himself was on a dominant four-fight winning streak in the light-heavyweight division, culminating in an emphatic knockout of Johnny Walker. He believed he had earned his shot at then-champion Jon Jones. That shot, however, never materialized.
Instead, Anderson recounts an incident where Jones reportedly had him removed from a meet-and-greet event, a telling detail in Anderson`s narrative of avoidance. According to Anderson, Jones exhibits a clear pattern:
“If it’s somebody he’s confident he can beat you’re going to hear him talking about you all the time in the media… When he doesn’t have that confidence in it and what he can do, he kind of stays quiet, doesn’t say your name and then does everything he can to say ‘I need more time, I need more time’.”
This sentiment now echoes through the heavyweight division, where Tom Aspinall, the dynamic British talent, holds an interim title and has openly campaigned for a unification bout with Jones. Yet, the fight remains a distant prospect, with Jones seemingly focused on other challenges or, as some speculate, awaiting the perfect conditions.
The Art of the “Duck”: Strategy or Evasion?
The term “ducking” in combat sports is a contentious one. For some, it signifies a fighter`s deliberate avoidance of a particularly dangerous opponent. For others, it`s merely strategic career management, a champion`s prerogative to choose fights that maximize reward and minimize risk, particularly when a legacy is on the line. Jones, throughout his career, has faced accusations of this nature, often dismissed by his staunch defenders as noise amidst unparalleled dominance.
However, Anderson`s personal anecdote adds a layer of intrigue. The idea that a fighter of Jones`s caliber would actively avoid an encounter, even outside the cage, suggests a deeper psychological component. Is it a testament to the opponent`s threat level, or a calculated move to control narratives and matchups? Perhaps it`s a bit of both – a champion understanding his strengths and weaknesses implicitly, and navigating the treacherous waters of professional fighting with an almost Machiavellian precision.
It`s worth noting Anderson`s candid, albeit ironic, conclusion regarding Jones`s career: “you can’t take away what he did – except for the fact he did a lot of steroids.” This offhand remark, while perhaps aimed at injecting a dose of reality, serves as a stark reminder of the controversies that have punctuated Jones`s otherwise stellar record, further complicating the perception of his strategic choices.
Aspinall`s Path: Forge Your Own Legacy
Given his own experience, Anderson`s advice to Tom Aspinall is clear and pragmatic: “stay focused and stay doing your thing… don’t worry about him, if the time comes the time comes. If not then just keep doing what you’re doing, keep winning and build your legacy.”
Aspinall, an explosive and well-rounded heavyweight, is indeed forging his own path. His upcoming undisputed heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi is a monumental challenge in itself. Success there solidifies his position at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division, creating a legacy independent of Jon Jones. The heavyweight landscape is ripe with compelling matchups, and Aspinall`s dynamic style promises exciting bouts regardless of whether Jones ever steps across the cage from him.
The saga of Jon Jones and his challengers is a perennial topic in MMA. Whether it`s “Bones” strategically managing his career or genuinely avoiding certain threats, the narrative undeniably adds to the mystique of a fighter whose career has been as dominant as it has been controversial. For Tom Aspinall, the best response might just be to keep winning, keep improving, and let his own achievements speak volumes, potentially forcing Jones`s hand or, perhaps more satisfyingly, eclipsing the need for that particular encounter altogether.
