Jon Jones Slams Tom Aspinall as ‘One-Trick Pony’ After UFC 321

UPDATE: Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has labeled Tom Aspinall a “one-trick pony” following Aspinall’s controversial title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on October 25, 2023. The fight, which ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye-poke, lasted merely 4 minutes and 35 seconds and left Aspinall with lingering issues regarding his vision.

Jones, speaking on the NoScripts Podcast just hours ago, expressed his lack of confidence in Aspinall’s skills. “Tom’s a great athlete, but I do feel like he’s a one-trick pony,” Jones stated, emphasizing that he was more impressed with Gane, whom he submitted to win the heavyweight title in March 2023.

The former champion criticized Aspinall’s performance, saying, “He couldn’t touch Ciryl Gane at all. Gane was just getting warmed up.” Jones pointed out that Gane appeared comfortable and in control, with his hands down and movement fluid.

Aspinall’s eye injury has been a hot topic since the fight. Reports indicate he has not yet regained full vision in either eye, significantly affecting his training and future prospects. His father and head coach revealed, “Aspinall can’t see anything out of his right eye,” raising concerns about his recovery and ability to fight again soon.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed plans to rebook the championship matchup between Aspinall and Gane, which adds another layer of urgency to the situation. Currently, Aspinall is focused on healing, but the timeline for his return remains uncertain.

Jones, with a professional record of 28-1, had previously been linked to a title unification bout with Aspinall but announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in June 2023. However, he has now hinted at a potential comeback, expressing a desire to fight current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at a special UFC event planned at the White House next year.

As fans await further developments in both Aspinall’s recovery and Jones’ potential return to the octagon, the MMA community remains abuzz with speculation and anticipation. What’s certain is that the debate over Aspinall’s capabilities will continue to grow, especially as the UFC prepares to navigate the implications of the no-contest ruling at UFC 321.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.