Tom Aspinall Goes ‘Jones vs Jones’ Route to Help Nullify Gordon Ryan BJJ Factor Before Rumored Title Unification

Eager to help Tom Aspinall take down Jon Jones, Craig Jones is ready to build on his success as a BJJ coach against rival Gordon Ryan.

Tom Aspinall Goes ‘Jones vs Jones’ Route to Help Nullify Gordon Ryan BJJ Factor Before Rumored Title Unification

Craig Jones ready to help Tom Aspinall vs. UFC champ Jon Jones (Source: X)

The immovable object vs. the indomitable stabbing force would be Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall in UFC’s logjammed heavyweight division right now. Aspinall has had to prolong PPV title unification for an unhealthy amount of time because the UFC let it slide. While that had enhanced his prep, ‘Bones’ and his arsenal remain a strong one. Enter Craig Jones to the rescue!

UFC 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski’s BJJ coach, Craig Jones, is a wildly infamous figure. This ‘Jones’ helped coach Aussie Jack Della Maddalena for his UFC 315 PPV headliner win as well. On his IG handle (@craigjonesbjj), he posted a post-fight snap with new champ JDM backstage. A fan commented for a dap up with interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall, and Craig Jones was all in for it.

@Tomaspinallofficial let’s take out the flamboyant man.

As was Brit champ Aspinall himself, ready for a PPV title unification. The UK native has geared up for the American for quite some time now. He has even crossed an unholy threshold of inactivity, waiting for Jon Jones. For his part, the 31-year-old British star remained somewhat active with a rare PPV interim title defense in Manchester and a first-round TKO of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

Meanwhile, Jones has exclusively trained with BJJ notoriety Gordon Ryan before this, and poses quite a challenge. Craig Jones, who trained with and even went up against the BJJ “King” Gordon, has now offered to amp up Aspinall’s defense.

Given that ‘Bones’ ends his meet-and-greet, Thailand cruise, and other such activities in favor of title unification, this could be a good one. The UK heavyweight Aspinall is a known BJJ practitioner under his dad’s tutelage and even has a submission win over Alexander Volkov. Given his all-around skill set and his rapid response standup, this could be one for the ages. What’s the hold-up, though?

Tom Aspinall comments on Jon Jones’ fight delay

Tom Aspinall snagged the interim gold over Sergei Pavlovich with a UFC 295 PPV knockout on November 11, 2023. Now, the longest-reigning active interim champ has been at wits’ end trying to unify. Many have stood by the purport of the delay tactics to prep for it; Jon Jones, though, has provided no positive updates that the fight will happen.

Tom Aspinall thinks Jon Jones compensating for skill issue with money demands
Tom Aspinall thinks Jon Jones compensating for skill issue with money demands (Source: X)

Both Tom Aspinall and Bones have made maiden defenses of their particular straps. CEO Dana White has reiterated from time to time that this PPV title super fight will happen and is in the works. But from memes to active disses and even rage baits, nothing seems to have worked.

What’s the hold-up that’s keeping champ Jon Jones on the bench, wanting more money and prep time? Is it something malicious from Jones? Aspinall has his own take on it:

When you put him in with, I’m not trying to blow my own trumpet, but I’m literally the most dangerous guy in the UFC if you look at the stats, …When you put him in with a guy of my size who has the credentials at this stage in his career, I think Jon’s a smart guy, and he realizes that — So he wants compensating financially for it.

Per UFC Record books, Aspinall has had the least bottom position average time, and quickest KO spans, and quite the TD defense in the cog. That is to say: he won’t stay down, hits like a Dodge, and get out of dodge before the second round.

This is why many fight fans/analysts consider him the best current answer to the tactile Jones. Now, here’s looking forward to what the future holds and if the Brit star can apply these skills in the cage against the UFC GOAT candidate.

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