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Cain Velasquez on Jones vs Aspinall
Tom Aspinall, the reigning UFC interim heavyweight champion, is being touted by many as the man who could finally dethrone Jon Jones, widely considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. However, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has cast doubt on Aspinall's ability to overcome Jones if the two meet in a unification bout later this year.
Speaking on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Velasquez dissected Aspinall’s game and explained why he believes Jones’ meticulous approach and fight IQ would prevail.
Velasquez on Aspinall’s Predictability
“No, I don’t think he does,” Velasquez said when asked if Aspinall could defeat Jones. “Me just watching him, I kind of see his pattern a little bit in his striking, the way he comes in and strikes. I think Jon sees it too.
“Again, Jon studies, man. He does his homework, you know. He’s a master at this. He analyzes things and studies things over and over again. I think just for that reason, he’s going to know what to do. I don’t think he beats Jon, no.”
Velasquez’s observations highlight a potential Achilles’ heel in Aspinall’s dynamic striking. The Englishman’s rapid rise in the heavyweight division has been fueled by his athleticism, speed, and finishing ability. Yet Velasquez, who has faced his own share of elite competition, believes Aspinall’s offensive tendencies could make him vulnerable against a strategist like Jones.
Jon Jones: The Master Tactician
Jon Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion, has built his legacy on his unparalleled ability to adapt and exploit his opponents' weaknesses. From outwrestling Daniel Cormier to nullifying Ciryl Gane with ease, Jones has proven time and again that his fight preparation is second to none.
Velasquez emphasized Jones’ unmatched fight IQ: “Everybody has a fight pattern and he has a fight pattern. Some disguise it better than others. … (Aspinall) does have a pattern that’s somewhat easier to find, when he comes in and strikes.
“So a lot of things come with that, disguising your pattern, throwing fakes here and there, but when he comes in and attacks, he attacks. It’s 100 percent full go. He comes in, glides in, lunges in, and does his attack. Not that it’s not effective—it is. He’s done great things with it, look at where he’s at now. But I think the type of guy that Jon Jones is, I think he studies him and beats him because of that.”
Will We See the Fight in 2025?
Though a clash between Jones and Aspinall is not yet official, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed confidence in making the fight happen in 2025. Both champions have successfully defended their belts—Jones dominating Ciryl Gane to capture the undisputed title and Aspinall dismantling Sergei Pavlovich to claim interim gold.
The bigger question remains whether Jones will still be active when the time comes. The 36-year-old legend has hinted at retirement in recent interviews, making the proposed unification bout a race against time.
Aspinall’s Path to Proving Velasquez Wrong
For Aspinall, the key to overcoming Jones may lie in refining his striking patterns and becoming less predictable. While his explosive offensive style has served him well so far, Velasquez’s comments underscore the need for greater versatility and deception against someone as analytical as Jones.
Whether the fight materializes or not, the debate over who can beat Jon Jones continues. For now, Cain Velasquez stands firmly in Jones’ corner, believing the reigning heavyweight king will remain just that, even against the surging Tom Aspinall.
What do you think? Can Tom Aspinall crack the code and do what no one else has done, or will Jon Jones prove yet again why he’s considered the GOAT? Let us know in the comments below!
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