Alexander Volkanovski believes Jon Jones can’t be considered a ‘proper double champion’ until he fights Tom Aspinall

Former light heavyweight champion and consensus GOAT, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, returns to the octagon this weekend in the main event of UFC 309 against 42-year-old veteran Stipe Miocic.

Whilst it’s certainly going to be an interesting title fight, almost the entire MMA community would rather see ‘Bones’ facing interim champ Tom Aspinall – with a former pound-for-pound king now coming out to defend the English juggernaut’s place in the mix.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesVolkanovski says Jones won’t be a ‘proper double champion’ until he fights AspinallBreaking down the UFC 309 main card via his YouTube channel, former featherweight champion and pound-for-pound best fighter in the world Alexander Volkanovski offered his thoughts on the drama engulfing the heavyweight division.

“I’m sure Jon Jones is sick of hearing this, but the Tom Aspinall fight is the fight that everyone wants to see,” stated the Australian, before claiming that the only way that Jon Jones becomes the ‘proper champion’ is if he faces Aspinall next.

“If you want to be a Heavyweight champion, you want to claim that crown… It’s going to be hard to convince me you’re defending champ if you don’t fight Tom Aspinall while he’s the interim champ and the biggest threat.

“Does Jon Jones even need to do this? No. He’s already got an incredible legacy. But if you want to claim the Heavyweight division, say you were a proper double champ – you’ve got to fight Tom Aspinall!”

Frustratingly, Jones has recently teased that he could overlook Aspinall in favor of fighting the current ruler of his old division, Brazilian superstar Alex Pereira.

Whilst Volkanovski understands why Jones is calling for a super fight with ‘Poatan’, he also noted that the only legitimate course of action left would be for ‘Bones’ to vacate his heavyweight title.

THANK GOD: Jones vs Miocic will feature major fight change as UFC 309 gets late update“For most of us that are in the know, that [Aspinall win] would be huge but when you’re talking about money and star power, a win over Pereira would be massive – that’s one of the biggest fights you could make right now.

“But get rid of the heavyweight belt then, if you want to claim to be the champ, get rid of the belt because the interim champ is there… If you want us to call you the heavyweight champion, the defending heavyweight champion, I think that’s where it’s it at.”

Alexander Volkanovski makes his prediction for the UFC 309 main eventJon Jones is understandably a sizable betting favorite over Stipe Miocic, with approximately 88% of Tapology User Picks going in the direction of the Albuquerque-based GOAT – and Volkanovski agrees.

“Jon Jones is still going to be in prime condition, Stipe isn’t, let’s be real… I don’t want to knock Stipe because I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I don’t think I’m telling you guys something you don’t already know.

“Jon Jones is going to be too good in this one, you can’t bet against him, and I think it will probably be a finish.”

Miocic has only ever been finished three times in his 24-fight professional career, with the popular Australian expecting that number to tick to four when he steps into the octagon against ‘Bones’ this weekend.

CRAZY: DC reveals the staggering amount of money Dana White sent him after he lost to Jones

“Could be a submission, or TKO – do I think it’s a one-punch knockout? No, but does he break him down, buckle his legs, a painful TKO… I can see something like that happening, maybe the first couple of rounds.”

UFC 309 goes down live from Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 16.

EXPLAINED: Magomed Ankalaev continues to goad Jon Jones over claims UFC champ is ‘ducking’ Tom Aspinall Related Posts