Tom Aspinall agrees Jon Jones has ‘slowed down dramatically' after win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 - 'I can capitalise’

ByBen Southby

Updated 18/11/2024 at 22:05 GMT

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has "slowed down dramatically", according to Nick Peet and interim champion Tom Aspinall. The pair spoke on TNT Sports' UFC 309 Review Show and said that they noticed a "quite significant" change in pace during the fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic. Aspinall believes he could "capitalise on" Jones' weaknesses if he fights the 37-year-old.

Tom Aspinall said that he noticed some weak points in Jon Jones’ performance when he watched the heavyweight champion overcome Stipe Miocic up close at UFC 309.

Jones retained his title to retire Miocic, 42, with a devastating third-round spinning kick to the body at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The 37-year-old delivered a classy performance to strengthen his legacy in the division, but TNT Sports expert Nick Peet feels that the legendary fighter “has slowed down dramatically”.

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“It was at no point in the fight that Jon got rocked,” Peet said on TNT Sports’ UFC 309 Review Show.

“I felt like when he wanted to throw that spinning heel kick, he threw it whenever he wanted to and when it landed, it was goodnight Vienna. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the finish was great. 

“You can take that performance from Jon Jones, edit it down to 60 seconds and go, 'Wow, the old Jon Jones is there. Look at this takedown, the elbows, the kicks to the belly, the oblique kicks and look at the finish?' 

“There’s a 60-second highlight reel, but it took three rounds to get there. I’ve seen enough, especially in the first round, to think he has slowed down dramatically.”

Aspinall, who was back-up fighter for the UFC 309 main event and has been hotly tipped as the fighter to next test Jones' title credentials, agreed with Peet’s observation.

“Massively,” he said. “I couldn’t have been sat any closer, almost within touching distance of the Octagon.

“The second round, the difference in speed from the beginning of the first to the beginning of the second was quite significant, to be honest with you.”

• ‘Biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history’- Aspinall craving Jones showdown
• ‘I really don’t like Tom’ - Jones says Pereira fight does 'more for legacy’ than ‘annoying’ Aspinall
• Jones ‘will not retire’ after defending UFC title, Miocic says ‘I’m done’

Aspinall also noticed parts of Jones’ game he could “capitalise on”, should the pair meet in the Octagon.

“It was really nice for me to see it up close, from my [vantage point], but not only that but as an analyst as well,” he added.

“To be able to break down what those guys are doing and the speed and technique those guys are doing. I see points I can capitalise on.”

Highlights: Jones retains heavyweight crown with dominant win over Miocic at UFC 309

Video credit: TNT Sports

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