Former UFC standout and Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier recently offered his perspective on a potential clash between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
Since retiring from mixed martial arts in 2020, Daniel Cormier has become a prominent figure in sports commentary, frequently appearing on UFC pay-per-view broadcasts alongside veterans like Joe Rogan and Jon Anik.
As a color commentator for the UFC, Cormier typically refrains from predicting outcomes for upcoming bouts, a practice also generally followed by Joe Rogan despite his wide reach.
However, Cormier recently broke from this norm to share his forecast for a highly anticipated fight that fans eagerly wanted to see.
Jon Jones`s retirement announcement last month surprised the MMA world. Following this, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall was recognized as the undisputed titleholder.
This development occurred after extensive talks among Jones, Aspinall, and the UFC about a potential title unification. Aspinall had held the interim title for nearly two years while Jones was inactive or focused on other fights, including the bout against Stipe Miocic.
Cormier, who has a well-known rivalry with Jones, has openly criticized his former foe for seemingly avoiding a fight with Aspinall by retiring. Yet, despite this criticism, Cormier offered his opinion on how the hypothetical fight would have unfolded.
Appearing on the Pound 4 Pound podcast recently, Cormier gave his prediction for the matchup between Jones and Aspinall, which is now off the table.
Cormier stated, “If I had to guess, I think Jon would beat Tom. I would predict he probably beats him right now. And the reason is? Tom hasn’t been tested in the championship rounds.”
He elaborated, “Imagine if someone like Ciryl Gane took him the full 25 minutes. If he wins that fight but gains the experience of going the distance, feeling completely drained for the first time, having to get up from the stool after the third round… Tom hasn’t even seen a third round yet. Jon needed to fight Tom now, while he lacks that experience – especially given who Jon Jones is.”
Indeed, Tom Aspinall has never competed beyond the second round in his professional MMA career. His notable UFC contests, including the interim title clash against Sergei Pavlovich and a high-profile fight against Curtis Blaydes, both concluded via stoppage in the very first round.
In contrast, Jones has extensive experience in lengthy fights, having gone the full five rounds multiple times throughout his career, including one of his bouts against Cormier. He secured tough decision victories against top contenders like Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, and Dominick Reyes during his time as light heavyweight champion.
However, despite the current situation and fan perception, a potential fight between Jones and Aspinall might not be impossible in the future.
Recently, Jones surprised many by announcing his re-entry into the UFC`s anti-doping testing pool. Fighters are typically required to be in the pool for a minimum of six months before they are eligible to compete again.
Meanwhile, an interesting possibility for Jones`s return emerged. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the UFC`s intention to hold an event at The White House in 2026, a suggestion that drew a notable reaction from Jones.
After a speculative graphic depicting Jones fighting Aspinall at the White House circulated online, Jones responded positively with “I like this,” hinting at a possible comeback. Fellow star Conor McGregor also indicated interest in participating in a potential White House event.
The last time the UFC held an event in Washington D.C. was in 2019, headlined by a heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Percy Harlow