it is quite apparent that Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones are never going to see eye-to-eye on much. But does the reigning interim UFC heavyweight champion have a point?
Aspinall, in a recent interview with Piers Morgan, was asked his standing on Jones being the greatest of all time. Well, he does not view the current UFC heavyweight champion in the light because of his multiple failed drug tests.
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Tom Aspinall claims Jon Jones lost GOAT status after failed drug test
“If you’re on steroids or whatever of course it does (take you out of the discussion),” Aspinall said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “If you’re on PEDs and your opponent isn’t, that’s absolutely cheating in my book unless you’re both allowed to do it. Jon is absolutely elite and I completely agree with the notion that he’s one of the best fighters ever.
“Potentially (the greatest) but the way I look at it is he has failed a couple of drug tests. To me, that rules you out of being the best of all time. For me, personally.”
- Jon Jones record: 28-1 (11 KOs, 7 submissions)
Jones tested positive following a win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 in 2016. After returning in 2017, he again tested positive after a victory vs. Cormier, which resulted in another suspension.
Numerous issues have also occurred outside the Octagon, including run-ins with the law. Jones has had his fair share of problems, but he has never suffered from them while competing. Jones has hesitated to put his resume on the line vs. Aspinall, who won the interim title in 2023. “Bones” recently bested Stipe Miocic and claimed he would retire after, but has had a change of heart.
Read more: Jon Jones Confirms His Future Plans Following UFC 309 Victory
