Khamzat Chimaev recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated but never realized bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, offering his perspective on Jones’ prowess. The MMA community continues to debate potential matchups, but Chimaev remains confident about Jones’ standing among the sport’s elite.
Originally, a fight between Jones and Aspinall seemed likely, but Jones opted for retirement instead of pursuing a heavyweight title unification against the British contender, which reportedly caused frustration for <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC President Dana White. White remains cautious about promoting the Jones-Aspinall fight, even after Jones expressed interest in returning amid plans for a UFC event at the White House announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Khamzat Chimaev, a rising middleweight title contender, holds Jon Jones in exceptionally high regard. In an interview with Bear Degidio on the JAXXON PODCAST, Chimaev evaluated the potential Jones versus Aspinall fight and weighed in on Jones’ capabilities at his peak.
Chimaev’s Take on the Jones vs. Aspinall Matchup
Chimaev acknowledged that both fighters could have emerged victorious in the matchup, emphasizing how age and experience can influence the outcome.
“He could, he could [have won against Aspinall], but… Maybe he [Aspinall] could beat Jon Jones as well, but when you get older, it’s different.”
He added that Jones in his prime was a level above most fighters.
“If you use Jon Jones, [of] his young age with anyone, bro, he is going to beat them. Every day people [are] getting older. I’m happy he’s finished. He’s a legend and undefeated.”
Why Khamzat Calls Jon Jones “Scary”
Jon Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history, with wins over top competitors such as Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida. Aside from a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill, Jones has never been defeated inside the cage. His dominance has earned him the title of pound-for-pound king for much of his career.
In a 2022 interview on The Triple C & Schmo Show, Chimaev described Jones as a formidable and intimidating opponent, citing his ability to defeat strong fighters with diverse skills and power.
“Jon Jones, of course. Nobody is like him. He beat a lot of guys, you know, he beat the monsters. I did work, all my training with Alex [Gustafsson]. I know how good he is. And if Jon Jones could stop that guy, it’s scary. He beat, like, not easy fighters. It was crazy. Good fighters, knockout power, and on the ground, it was good… And ‘DC’ [Daniel Cormier], you know, he pressures, he has good wrestling, and he has good boxing, and he has the mentality to just pressure the fighters and kill them, you know. And he stopped that guy as well.”
The Impact of Jones’ Career and What Lies Ahead
Jones’ retirement decision has created uncertainty around potential high-profile matches, including the planned clash with Aspinall that many fans eagerly anticipated. Meanwhile, Chimaev’s comments reaffirm Jones’ legacy as an unmatched fighter whose prime years showcased an ability to beat anyone in the octagon.
As Chimaev himself approaches a shot at the middleweight title, his reflections underline the respect top fighters hold for Jones and the lasting influence Jones has on the sport. With Jones’ future in MMA still uncertain, fans and officials will watch closely to see if he returns or continues to shape the division’s history from afar.