Jon Jones will be the undisputed GOAT, however he’s definitely not the most effective heavyweight on the earth.
Taking a look at as we speak’s heavyweight panorama, three names simple stand out above the remaining — Tom Aspinall, Francis Ngannou, and Jones. Which one really tops the listing will fluctuate relying on who you’re speaking to at any given time, however former UFC fighter Dan Hardy thinks that it doesn’t matter what, ‘Bones’ is probably going on the backside.
After all, the present Head of PFL Europe means no disrespect towards the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. He simply can’t see Jones matching the pace of Aspinall or the ability of ‘The Predator.’
“I think Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound best,” Hardy defined when talking to MMA Preventing. “I believe he’s the most effective illustration of blended martial arts usually that we’ve ever seen. I believe he’s nonetheless evolving, which is terrifying. However is he the most effective present heavyweight on the planet? I don’t suppose so.
“I think the winner of Aspinall versus Ngannou would be the answer … no disrespect in any way to Jon. Current heavyweight champion but not the current best heavyweight on the planet. Certainly not.”
Hardy commends jon jones expertise and unmatched battle IQ
Hardy nevertheless does acknowledge that in the case of expertise and battle IQ, there may be no one higher than Jon Jones. Sadly, these two issues don’t at all times win the day when matched towards a heavyweight that strikes like a light-weight or an African powerhouse who hits like a runaway freight prepare.
“The creativity of Jon Jones and the wisdom, the fight IQ, that reigns supreme,” Hardy mentioned. “I simply marvel if he’s obtained that skill within the heavyweight division with somebody as quick as Tom Aspinall and somebody as highly effective as Francis Ngannou. There have been occasions when Stipe [Miocic] landed [on Jones at UFC 309] and I believe if Ngannou lands these photographs, Jon Jones doesn’t get again up.
“I also think the speed of Tom Aspinall would allow him to land punches against Jon Jones and Ngannou that both of those guys wouldn’t see coming and wouldn’t be able to stop. The question is would he be able to do that kind of damage to knock them out. I don’t know. I’ve seen Francis take some big shots. I know obviously he got knocked out by Anthony Joshua but at the same time, you’re talking of an elite level boxer who’s an incredible athlete at the same time. I mean, it’s just so difficult to pick one.”
Whereas seeing Ngannou tackle both Jones or Aspinall feels fairly unlikely at this level, a title unification conflict between Jones and Aspinall appears virtually assured after greater than a yr of uncertainty on Jones’ half.
