Tom Aspinall defended the interim UFC heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Since then, demands for a fight between him and the undisputed kingpin Jon Jones have increased significantly.
Regardless, it looks like Jones will return to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic before the end of 2024. On top of that, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has repeatedly hinted at hanging up his gloves after the fight.
Aspinall has always respected Jones and Miocic for their illustrious careers. However, he recently revealed why the latter is a better role model for him...
Aspinall talked about Jones and Miocic on the official Michael Bisping YouTube channel recently. He praised both the veterans for their contributions to MMA but clarified that he relates more to the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Well, I look to Stipe more because the... Don't make me say it Anthony. Don't make me say it!
For starters, the interim UFC heavyweight champion believes that failing drug tests directly affects the legacies of greats like Jones and Anderson Silva. Despite holding some of the most celebrated UFC records, both fighters have been heavily criticized in MMA circles for PED usage.
If there's anything about drug tests going on, that's a bit of an asterisk next to your name. Do you know what I mean? If there's a drug test going. Same as, you know, when people talk about Anderson Silva being the best of all time. You know, he definitely was, but there was definitely some other stuff going on there.
Miocic, on the other hand, has a record six title wins in the UFC heavyweight division. He's never been accused of using PEDs, which is one of the main reasons why Aspinall picked him as a more suitable role model over Jones.
I mean, I don't know either guy personally but Stipe seems more my type of human being.
Aspinall made sure not to delve into Jones' personal life, though. He aims to fight "Bones" only to unify the UFC heavyweight title and has no interest in taking a jab at the veteran's notorious past.
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