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Magomed Ankalaev Joins the Chorus: Jon Jones Needs to Face Tom Aspinall
The MMA world is buzzing after UFC 300, and it’s not just about Alex Pereira anymore. Fresh off his light heavyweight title victory, Magomed Ankalaev has added his voice to the growing chorus demanding one fight above all others: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall.
Let’s be real – when a killer like Ankalaev takes time out from celebrating his own championship glory to talk about another fight, we should all be listening.
“Jon needs to stop running and face the real challenge,” Ankalaev told reporters through his translator at the post-fight press conference. “Every fighter knows that to be the greatest, you must face the greatest challenges. Tom Aspinall represents that challenge.”
Why Ankalaev’s Opinion Matters More Than Most
Ankalaev isn’t just another fighter throwing out hot takes. As the new light heavyweight king, he stands one division below Jones, giving him unique perspective on what it takes to climb the mountain. Having just defeated Alex Pereira – a man who himself moved up in weight to chase greatness – Ankalaev understands the importance of legacy-defining matchups.
I’ve covered dozens of championship fights, and there’s always a different energy when a newly-crowned champion immediately starts talking about other fighters. It shows where the sport’s collective mind truly is.
Ankalaev laid it out plainly: “If Jon wants to be remembered as the greatest, he cannot keep avoiding the young hungry lion in Aspinall. Everyone sees it.”
Insert image of Ankalaev with championship belt at UFC 300 press conference here
The Timing Couldn’t Be More Perfect
With Ankalaev’s victory reshaping the light heavyweight landscape and Aspinall holding interim heavyweight gold, the MMA gods couldn’t have scripted a better moment for Jones to finally address the elephant in the room.
Consider the timeline we’re looking at:
- March 2023: Jones captures heavyweight gold against Ciryl Gane
- November 2023: Aspinall wins interim title with devastating KO
- April 2024: Ankalaev claims light heavyweight championship
- July 2024: Jones potentially returns from injury
This convergence of champions speaking out creates an unavoidable narrative that’s quickly becoming the most talked-about potential matchup in UFC history.
What Makes This Different: Champion Supporting Fans
We’re used to seeing fans clamor for dream matchups, but when fellow champions start publicly pushing for the same fight, it creates an entirely different level of pressure.
| Fighter | Division | Status on Jones vs. Aspinall |
|---|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev | Light Heavyweight Champion | Strongly supports the matchup |
| Alex Pereira | Former LHW Champion | Previously endorsed the fight |
| Tom Aspinall | Interim Heavyweight Champion | Actively campaigning for the fight |
| Jon Jones | Heavyweight Champion | Focused on Stipe Miocic matchup |
The pressure continues mounting with each passing week. As someone who’s covered this sport for years, I can tell you this kind of champion-to-champion callout creates a narrative that’s almost impossible for the UFC to ignore.
The Russian Perspective: Respect Demands Action
What struck me most about Ankalaev’s comments was the underlying tone of respect for the sport itself. Coming from the Dagestani fighting tradition, there’s a deep-rooted belief that champions must face the most dangerous challengers, not just the most profitable ones.
“In my country, we believe the path of a warrior is to seek the greatest challenge,” Ankalaev explained. “Jon Jones is speaking about legacy, but legacy is built on facing the most dangerous men, not avoiding them.”
Those words hit differently coming from a man who just climbed his own mountain to claim UFC gold.
What Comes Next: The Ball is in Jones’ Court
With Ankalaev joining the chorus of voices calling for the Jones-Aspinall showdown, the pressure on the UFC’s heavyweight champion continues to build. Jones has maintained his focus on a legacy fight with former champion Stipe Miocic, but with each passing day, that matchup loses luster while the Aspinall challenge grows more significant.
Will Jones finally address the growing demand? Or will he continue on his predetermined path?
One thing’s certain – when newly-crowned champions like Ankalaev start weighing in on fights outside their division, it speaks volumes about what truly matters in the sport.
What do you think? Should Jones listen to Ankalaev and the rest of the MMA world by facing Aspinall next? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Source: UFC 300 Post-Fight Press Conference
