The UFC GOAT debate is and always will be raging; with several iconic champions vying to put their names at the top of the list – for many the GOAT is heavyweight king Jon 'Bones' Jones.
Whether the dominant two-division champion returns in 2025 to fight interim champion Tom Aspinall remains to be seen, although the British juggernaut won't stop grilling 'Bones' about his GOAT status.
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Tom Aspinall says failed drug tests eliminate Jon Jones from GOAT debate
There would be no doubt in the minds of countless UFC fans that he would be the greatest MMA fighter in history if Jon Jones hadn't come out on top more than once.
But according to interim champion Tom Aspinall, that asterisk will not only never go away, but essentially eliminate him from the GOAT debate entirely.
“Let me first start by saying that Jon is absolutely elite, and I completely agree with the idea that he is one of the best fighters ever – possibly [the greatest in MMA history],” said Aspinall on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
“But the way I look at it, he failed a few drug tests. To me, that means you're not the greatest of all time – for me personally.
“Yes, of course [make him a cheat]If you're taking performance-enhancing drugs and your opponent isn't, then that's definitely cheating in my opinion – unless you're both allowed to do it.”
Although Aspinall is strongly against the consumption of PEDs during active competition, the British heavyweight admitted that he plans to use these substances when he eventually retires from MMA.
“Absolutely not [now but] when I retire I will, yes, absolutely, to keep my body healthy… Your body stops producing testosterone after a while and to be a healthy older gentleman I will probably do some do testosterone replacement therapy.
“I honestly don't know much about this subject, but I think if you're fighting in MMA, you definitely shouldn't be using PEDs.”
When asked by the divisive journalist if he's worried about upsetting Jones with such comments, Aspinall teased that he's already under Bones' skin: “I don't know, I don't care, I I don't care. [but] Looks like Jon Jones is feeling a little hurt.”
Joe Rogan talks about possible HW unification between Jones and Aspinall
Veteran UFC commentator Joe Rogan may be one of Tom Aspinall's biggest fans, but he also has one major question about the British juggernaut ahead of a potential fight with Jones: endurance.
“God, I hope they fight,” Rogan said on a recent episode of his podcast.
'I want to know [what would happen]. Here's the question with Aspinall; what happens to Aspinall in the second round? If you want to talk about a guy who sprints. If you want to talk about a guy who moves fast, Aspinall might be the fastest heavyweight in the history of the sport.
Aspinall is 8-1 in the UFC with seven of those wins coming in the first round; the only exception is a win over Arlovski… Just 69 seconds into the second.
“I don't think anyone moves like that guy,” Rogan continued.
“With a frame over 250 pounds, his movement is extraordinary, and you have to deal with that. That's an insane ability… His ability to move the way he moves is so much different than anyone else in the sport.”
That said, Rogan still noted that it would be “tough to bet against Jon,” especially now that he's cemented himself as a true heavyweight.
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