Georges St-Pierre, widely celebrated as one of mixed martial arts` all-time greats, recently offered his insights into the highly anticipated potential matchup between current UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and Interim Champion Tom Aspinall.
GSP`s own legacy at the sport`s pinnacle is undeniable, and while dream scenarios like a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov were often imagined, his place in history is firmly secured.
Similarly, Jon Jones is consistently featured on lists of the sport`s best, though he has faced criticism regarding his current active status and opponents. Fans have loudly called for a title unification bout between Jones and the surging Aspinall, viewing it as the premier heavyweight clash available and potentially the biggest fight of the year.
Despite strong fan interest, the prospect of this fight, which many believe would be a true test for “Bones” in the heavyweight division, remains uncertain and could potentially be one of the significant UFC matchups that doesn`t come to fruition.
GSP Emphasizes the Role of Time in Potential Jones vs. Aspinall Fight
In a recent interview, Georges St-Pierre shared his perspective on the Jones vs. Aspinall fight that dominates fan discussions. Jon Jones has not shown significant enthusiasm for the matchup, suggesting that for the UFC to make it happen, they would need to offer substantial compensation. GSP sees this as a reasonable stance, considering the risk involved for Jones compared to potentially ending his career without a loss inside the Octagon (his only defeat being a disqualification).
GSP aligns with many fans in acknowledging Jon Jones`s status as potentially the greatest ever, particularly in his prime. However, he identifies the younger, highly motivated Tom Aspinall as a very real threat, which is precisely what makes the theoretical matchup so compelling.
The interim champion Aspinall certainly has more to gain, but the narrative of the established all-time great facing off against the rising face of the heavyweight division is rich with intrigue. St-Pierre suggested that the fight`s outcome hinges on Jones`s motivation levels and whether the UFC is willing to meet his financial demands for one of the sport`s biggest potential heavyweight confrontations.
Reflecting on Jones`s legacy, GSP stated, “I mean, you talk about legacy, Jon Jones is probably the best fighter that ever lived. If I have to choose someone in his prime that I put in the coliseum, hand-to-hand, I think it would be Jon Jones. It’s hard to deny that. However, nobody beats time and Tom Aspinall is on a hell of a run so it’s to see how they’re gonna match.”
He added, “It’s hard to say. As a fan, I want to see this fight, I would really like to see this fight but I think Tom is very hungry and it’s up to Jon to see if he still wants to do this and if the UFC can compensate him good because I think he deserves it so it’s going to be a hell of a fight.”
Watch GSP discuss the potential fight below:
Here is a relevant image of Georges St-Pierre:
GSP Also Eager to See Other Major 2025 Matchups
When asked about his favorite active fighters to watch, Georges St-Pierre included Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, mentioning his desire to learn from the best. He also named Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, highlighting their potential lightweight vs. featherweight champion showdown as another defining fight for 2025.
While Topuria insists he will wait for his lightweight title opportunity, Makhachev`s potential move up to welterweight remains a point of speculation. If the champion-versus-champion fight materializes, St-Pierre finds the clash of styles fascinating, pitting two of the sport`s top pound-for-pound talents against each other for gold.
GSP commented on the potential stylistic collision: “Yeah I mean, that’s another same thing. Topuria when he touches, it falls, and on the other side, Makhachev, he applies so much pressure, he’s an elite grappler. I mean they’re both good in every area, it’s a great fight for the fans.”
Watch another video from the interview:
Rupert Hartwell