Daniel Cormier doesn’t think former foe Jon Jones is afraid of Tom Aspinall — or anyone else, for that matter.
Jones defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Meanwhile, interim champ Aspinall will be the backup for the fight.
Aspinall might never get a title unification bout, with both Jones and Miocic having hinted at retirement after UFC 309. In case Jones chooses to continue, he has already dismissed a potential title unifier against Aspinall in favor of a matchup against light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira. According to Jones, “Honey Badger” is yet to earn his dues to fight a legend like him. Cormier doesn’t agree with Jones saying the interim champ is yet to earn his dues for a title fight.
“For Jon to say he’s a nobody — but is he really? He’s the world champ,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Honestly, that’s who he is. He is the No. 2 heavyweight in the world. He’s the interim champ. He’s not a guy that’s just working his way through the division. This is a guy that’s smashed the division.”
However, Cormier dismisses the narrative that Jones is scared to fight Aspinall. Having shared one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history with Jones, “DC” believes “Bones” isn’t afraid of anyone. While Cormier understands the risk Jones will undertake in fighting Aspinall, he believes his former foe’s legacy will be unaffected by the result.
UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic. Saturday at 10 ET on ESPN+. Order Now!
But Cormier understands why Jones would prefer a potentially easier fight against Pereira with a potentially higher payday. While Pereira is one of the greatest stars of the sport today, Cormier notes that he is yet to prove his mettle against an elite grappler like Jones.
“Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I wish people would stop saying that. He is not afraid of that guy. He’s not afraid of anyone. He’s not afraid to fight this guy. He’s not. I think he’s trying to be more strategic. I think he’s trying to make sure his legacy stands. I don’t know how it could ever be faded. I mean, we do have short memories but could you ever forget what he did? I don’t think fighting Tom Aspinall with the potential that he would lose is a bad thing.”
Yes, financially [the Pereira fight] would make sense. It would [also] be much less risky because of that glaring hole in the matchup. I don’t know if Alex Pereira can defend takedowns against the best guys. He’s wrestling Glover [Texeira]. I’m sure Glover’s teaching him how to defend takedowns. I’m sure Glover, who’s a tremendous wrestler himself, has him prepared, but I don’t know how he will do in live action against a truly elite level high wrestler. Because Jan Blachowicz isn’t and he was able to take him down effectively.
