Javier Mendez, the coach of Khabib Nurmagomedov, recently shared his thoughts on the much-anticipated UFC heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. While Mendez acknowledges Aspinall’s ability to defeat Jones, he slightly favors Jones if the fight materializes. The matchup remains uncertain as Jones has hinted at possible retirement and suggested Aspinall seek a different opponent.
Meanwhile, Aspinall remains focused and ready to face any contender, with the clear goal of winning the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship regardless of Jones’s status. UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Jones was offered, and accepted, the bout against Aspinall, but fans are still waiting for a definitive update on the fight’s confirmation.
During an interview on Submission Radio, Mendez expressed his perspective on the potential showdown:
“Tom is definitely one of the individuals who has the potential to actually beat Jon, yes. But if Jon accepts the fight, I’ve always said it that Jon must know he can beat him. So I would favor Jon slightly to be able to win the fight.”
He also added:
“Am I right? No. I don’t know. We are all wishing what we want, saying what we want, but you know what actually happens in the fight is going to happen in the fight. But Tom Aspinall is the real deal.”
Why the UFC Is Reluctant to Strip Jon Jones of His Title, Explained by Javier Mendez
In another recent discussion on The Javier & Mo Show, Mendez revealed the UFC’s strategic stance on the pending fight between Jones and Aspinall. He explained that the organization is likely to continue pushing for the bout to occur and will only strip Jones of the title if he outright refuses to fight. Mendez urges patience until official updates emerge and warned against speculation.
He noted:
“There will come a point where the UFC says, ‘You are gonna fight or we are gonna strip.’ They’ll call the shots when they want to call the shots. In the meantime, as long as they know they are working toward that goal of matching those two guys, they’ll keep holding on.”
Mendez further explained the promotional benefits of leaving Jones as champion while building hype for the fight:
“They don’t want to strip Jon because if they strip him, they have lost that opportunity. If they continue to keep playing and the media keeps playing, that fight gets built, built, built. It’s a good play on both sides.”
The Current State and Importance of the Jones vs. Aspinall Fight Prospect
The possibility of Jon Jones facing Tom Aspinall carries significant weight for the UFC heavyweight division. Jones has been a dominant figure in the sport, while Aspinall is emerging as a major contender with impressive skills. The fight would unify the heavyweight title and settle questions about the top fighter in the division.
However, Jones’s potential retirement and reluctance to commit have cast uncertainty over the matchup’s timing and viability. Dana White’s insistence that Jones has accepted the challenge suggests the UFC is determined to see this fight happen, maintaining pressure on all parties involved.
For fans and analysts, the outcome of this situation will shape the future landscape of the heavyweight division and influence potential matchups with other top contenders aspiring for the title.