UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is widely considered the favorite for the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history. Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall doesn’t protest Jones’ resume, but the Briton argues performance-enhancing drugs should prevent him from claiming the title of greatest of all time.
Jones is arguably the most successful UFC fighter. He is a two-division champion with UFC records for most title defenses, most title wins, longest light heavyweight title reign and youngest champion, among others. The only blemishes in Jones’ (28-1, 1 NC) 16-year career are a controversial disqualification loss in 2009 and a knockout victory over Daniel Cormier in 2018 that was overturned to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for a metabolite of turinabol, an anabolic steroid. Jones tested positive for banned substances or had inconsistent results multiple times between 2015 and 2018.
“Let me start by saying that Jon is absolutely elite and I completely agree with the idea that he is one of the best fighters of all time,” Aspinall said in an interview with Pier Morgan Friday. “Potentially (the best), but in my opinion he failed a few drug tests. To me that rules you out from being the best of all time.
“If you’re on steroids or anything, I don’t think he was on steroids, but he was on PEDs, performance enhancing drugs. If you’re on PEDs and your opponent isn’t, this is absolutely cheating in my opinion. book unless you are both allowed to do it.
Jones and Aspinall have exchanged beards publicly since the interim champion was sidelined for a title unifier in favor of Jones against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. UFC CEO Dana White insisted Jones was scheduled to fight Aspinall next, but Jones repeatedly refused to do so unless paid generously.
