Should Jon Jones face Alex Poatan or Tom Aspinall? Journalists weigh in on the best UFC fight

Jon Jones in victory in UFC 309. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC India

PUBLICITY:

the future of Jon Jones No. UFC is more uncertain than ever. After dominating Stipe Miocic and defend the heavyweight belt (up to 120,2 kg), the American made clear his desire to face Alex Poatán in a superfight. However, the pressure from the organization and fans for him to face Tom aspinall, interim champion of the category, is getting bigger and bigger.

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Amidst the impasse, the SUPER FIGHTS consulted the main MMA journalists in Brazil to better understand this dispute. The participations were Carlos Antunes, Laerte Viana, Léo Guimarães, Luis Coutinho, Neri Fung and Rodrigo Tannuri, who did not represent a unanimous opinion, but converge on a common point: the next fight of Jon Jones will be decisive for his legacy.

Struggle of generations

Combate's Carlos Antunes defends the fight against Aspinall as a way to test Jones against one of the best young fighters in the division.

“Despite the great desire to see Jon Jones x Alex Poatán in their next fight, which would perhaps be one of the greatest duels in UFC history, I would like to see Jon Jones x Tom aspinall, to see the American against one of the best heavyweight fighters of the new generation”, said Carlos Antunes, from Combate.

'Needs challenging fights'

Léo Guimarães, from the channel 'Léo Guimarães MMA', goes further and highlights the importance of Jones facing challenges that further solidify his legacy.

"The Jon Jones needs challenging fights that will increasingly increase his legacy as the greatest of all time. And, without a doubt, the fight is against Tom aspinall. He performs the unification of the belt against the Tom aspinall and tries to stop the Englishman's momentum, who has been 'running the roost' on everyone", declared Léo Guimarães, from the channel 'Léo Guimarães MMA'.

'It's very clear…'

Laerte Viana, from the channel 'Laerte Viana na Área', sees the fight against Poatan as a unique opportunity for Jones to make more money and add another big name to his vast history.

“On one side you have a dangerous challenge, which will generate millions for you and add a lot to your legacy. On the other side, a challenge that is just as dangerous, which doesn’t add as much and the money would be less. I think it’s very clear why Jon Jones have to choose Alex Poatán, right?”, said Laerte Viana, from the channel 'Laerte Viana na Área'.

Since Jon Jones will continue…

Luis Coutinho, from 'Canal Encarada', was more direct and even suggested Jones' retirement. However, he indicated a preference for a fight with Aspinall, if 'Bones' decides to continue in the UFC.

“Man, to be quite honest, I would rather see Jon Jones retiring. Feel like quitting? Then quit. Put your foot down and make way for whoever is coming. Now, if he is going to keep fighting and want to defend his territory in the heavyweight division, he has to face Tom aspinall”, reinforced Luis Coutinho, from 'Canal Encarada'.

The biggest fight today?

Neri Fung, from 'Ag Fight', sees the fight of Jon Jones x Alex Poatán as a 'dream come true' for MMA fans. According to him, there is no fight that can surpass the popularity and anticipation of a confrontation.

“I would like to see Alex Poatán as the next rival of Jon Jones in the UFC octagon. As much as Tom aspinall deserves a chance to fight for the linear heavyweight title against the American, there is nothing bigger today for the MMA community than a superfight between Jon 'Bones' Jones vs. Alex 'Poatan' Pereira,” said Neri Fung, from Ag Fight.

'Jon Jones can't avoid Tom Aspinall'

Rodrigo Tannuri, also from 'Ag Fight' and 'MMA Pride Brasil', believes that the ideal fight would be Jones vs. Aspinall to unify the belt.

“For me, the fight that has to happen is Jon Jones x Tom aspinall. I have a linear champion. I have an interim champion. I have to have a single champion. I can't Jon Jones avoid the Tom aspinall because he has the belt. If he didn't have it, I would understand him going for the Alex Poatán”, concluded Rodrigo Tannuri, from Ag Fight and MMA Pride Brasil.