One of the most talked about topics in the world of MMA today, without a doubt, is whether Jon Jones will or will not face Tom aspinall and unify the UFC heavyweight division belts (up to 120,2 kg). The champion has not fought since November 2024 and is repeatedly accused of refusing to fight the interim champion and threatened with being dismissed by the Ultimate. Renato Moicano has a theory about all this.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Renato Moicano explained the impasse that the UFC is currently experiencing. According to the Brasilia native, the organization still depends on the image of Jon Jones to maintain its relevance and commercial attractiveness. The lightweight pointed out the absence of big charismatic names among the current champions and stated that, with the defeat of Alex Poatán, there are no more fighters with mass appeal.
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“The UFC is in a difficult situation because, at the same time as it wants to solve this, it still needs the Jon Jones, at least of his image, just like they need McGregor… Today there is no more room for stars like before. I think the only star who had this kind of appeal was Alex Pereira. If he had beaten Ankalaev, he would be at this level of popularity. But he lost… Tell me, which champion is popular? There is Pantoja, who is not popular. Merab is becoming more popular, but he is not either. Volkanovski is popular, but he lost twice to Islam and is already older. In the lightweight division there is Islam, who is very popular in the Arab world. In the welterweight division now it is Jack Della Maddalena, who has like 300 thousand followers, he's starting out. In the middle, Dricus Du Plessis, who is not popular. In the light heavyweight division, it is Ankalaev. but not even his mother cares about him. And in the heavyweight division, it is Jon Jones. The UFC is in Jones’ hands.”, explained Moicano.
Jon Jones won the vacant belt by submitting Cyryl Gane No. UFC 285, in March 2023. Since then, he has defended the title only once, in UFC 309, in November 2024, when he won Stipe Miocic, whereas, Tom aspinall won the interim belt by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich and defended him against Curtis blaydes. Since then, he has been waiting for his chance to unify the title with Jones' linear belt.
