Daniel Cormier believes Jon Jones should trim down ahead of a potential fight with Tom Aspinall.
‘Bones’ spent most of his legendary MMA career competing at light heavyweight before bulking up and becoming the heavyweight champion by beating Ciryl Gane in March 2023.
Jones has spent three years preparing for his heavyweight debutGetty
Jones is currently preparing to defend his belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16.
The 37-year-old is expected to enter the Octagon at around 250lbs, which is 45lbs heavier than he was during his prime years as the UFC’s light heavyweight king.
A potential unification fight with interim champion Aspinall, who is a natural heavyweight, awaits whoever wins at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Cormier thinks Aspinall is a dangerous opponent for Jones, who he believes should try to shift a lot of weight before trading blows with the Englishman.
“I think this kid is as dangerous for him as anyone he’s ever been in there with,” Cormier said when asked about Aspinall potentially fighting Jones on the Pound 4 Pound podcast.
“Partly because that’s not his weight class. I bet if he is weighing 215lbs, he would fight Tom Aspinall better than at 245lbs. With a 205lb frame, he could fight Tom Aspinall better than he could at 250.
“While he didn’t last long with Ciryl, he didn’t look as fast and was carrying more weight. Ciryl did some weird stuff, and you don’t make mistakes against Jon.”
It seems unlikely that Jones will be open to receiving advice from Cormier.
The two men shared one of the most bitter rivals in UFC history, which included two fights, failed drug tests, a no-contest, and a press conference brawl.
Jones tried to squash their beef last year, but it became clear that Cormier is still not a fan when Kamaru Usman recently compared his rival to NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Cormier believes he fought the best version of Jonesgetty images
He insists Jones should cut weight if he fights AspinallGetty
An exacerbated Cormier threatened to walk off the podcast Usman shares with former dual-weight champion Cejudo before ridiculing him for making such a bold comparison.
Jones might not need to even think about a game plan for Aspinall if he follows through with his threat to retire after facing Miocic.
UFC CEO Dana White insists Jones won’t walk away from the sport, but the American continues to claim he might while doing everything he can to distance himself from a fight with Aspinall.
“It’s going to be the last time,” Jones said at UFC 306 earlier this month.
He added: “More than likely.”
It appears Aspinall will have to face someone else to prove he’s the UFC’s best heavyweight.
