Jon Jones’ longtime coach shoots down narrative that Tom Aspinall is a ‘complex puzzle’ ahead of potential Octagon clash

Coach Brandon Gibson says Tom Aspinall isn't too difficult a puzzle to solve in the Octagon ahead of his expected booking against Jon Jones.

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is at the top of most UFC fight fans' wish lists as 2024 comes to a close. After Jones defeated Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, fight talk began swirling about Jones potentially facing Aspinall, despite his repeated dismissals of the British star.

As Jones and Aspinall negotiate a potential clash in 2025, many are beginning to analyze how the fight will play out inside the Octagon. Aspinall has made quick work of his opponents in all of his UFC victories, including his UFC 304 interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes.

But Jones has faced this similar scenario many times in his career, and one of his old coaches believes Aspinall's difficulty is overblown.

Jon Jones' coach Brandon Gibson breaks down the Tom Aspinall puzzle

In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, coach Brandon Gibson suggested that Jones and his team had seen some strengths in Aspinall's skills and thoroughly dissected them.

“He's had a great heavyweight career so far,” Gibson said. “I think there are still a lot of unknowns that could be an advantage for Tom, but also a lot of those unknowns could be a big advantage for us. How will he do in deep water? How will he do in the later rounds?

“There's probably going to be a lot of pressure on him to try to start fast, so all being said, Tom is not a match-up, like we have respect for all these great opponents and champions, but I think Jon has solved a lot. more complex problems.” (h/t MMANews)

Photos by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jones won the then-vacant heavyweight title from Ciryl Gane last year at UFC 285. Leading up to UFC 285, some predicted that Gane would end Jones' largely flawless UFC career and put an end to any potential heavyweight title aspirations.

In response, it took Jones just minutes to submit Gane and win the Heavyweight Championship.

Jon Jones and the UFC are in ongoing negotiations regarding the Tom Aspinall fight

Jones revealed over the weekend that he and his team have officially entered negotiations with UFC brass for a possible return to the cage in 2025. While Aspinall is the most likely option for an opponent, he is also teasing a possible superfight against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Jones' continued dismissal of Aspinall could potentially be a negotiating tactic as he works out a deal with the promotion. UFC broadcaster Jon Anik recently predicted that Jones will need a financial sum of $20-25 million to sign on the dotted line.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jones needed a salary of around $30 million to fight then-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in 2021. But the fight never came to fruition and Ngannou parted ways with the UFC last year after a tumultuous contract dispute.

Aspinall believes Jones knows deep down he's in for a back-and-forth war in the Octagon when they meet. But, coach Gibson says, don't be surprised if Jones makes Aspinall look ordinary, as he has done to many of his past opponents.

Related posts