The UFC’s annual trip to Madison Square Garden for UFC 309 didn’t disappoint as ever. In the main event, Jon Jones cemented his legacy by finishing the most successful heavyweight champion in the company’s history, Stipe Miocic by spinning back kick to retain his title. In the co-main event, the former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira survived a late flurry from Michael Chandler to go 2-0 over the former Bellator champion in one of the most dominant performances of his career.
Naturally, after such an event, the talk is going to go to ‘who’s next?’ for each man, but for everyone to see, it’s pretty obvious.
Jones vs Aspinall
Although Jon Jones retained his ‘undisputed’ heavyweight championship belt on Saturday night, it is very much disputed as to whether he did it against the best guy he could. Although Stipe Miocic is the most successful heavyweight champion in history, he’s been out of action since March 2021 and hasn’t fought in front of fans since August 2019. At 42 years of age, he believed he had one last bout in him, however, in reality, it wasn’t to be.
The issue for Jones is that he clearly doesn’t want to fight the next guy in line and is only interested in legacy fights. Who can blame him? He’s fought a whos who of top talent throughout his career and has come out on top every single time. The youngest-ever UFC champion deserves legacy fights… right? Wrong. Having sat out for a prolonged period of time, Jones returned and fought a favourable match up against Ciryl Gane. He then got injured and had to withdraw from a defence against Miocic last year. During this time, the next generation of heavyweight, Tom Aspinall emerged as the #1 guy and confirmed his status as the next man in line by capturing the interim heavyweight strap in Jones’ absence.
Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall. It’s clear for all to see. Who can blame him? The Brit is 8-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming due to an injury. He avenged that loss against Curtis Blaydes with a first round knockout last time out. Jones has created a narrative that Aspinall isn’t a nice guy, that he doesn’t deserve the shot at Jones and that Jones doesn’t need to give the up-and-comer a shot at greatness… except, he does. Aspinall is the interim heavyweight champion and, realistically was within his rights to demand the Jones fight instead of Miocic.
Jones vs Aspinall is the only fight to make next. Not Alex Pereira, Tom Aspinall. If Jones turns down the Aspinall fight, there’s a good chance that his legacy will be tarnished and that he won’t be regarded as the legitimate ‘undisputed’ heavyweight champion.
Oliveria vs Makhachev or Tsarukyan 2
Charles Oliveira was able to get another one over on Michael Chandler at UFC 309, this time leaving no questions as to who was the better man. Their first fight saw him dropped and almost finished, however, this time the Brazilian dominated over 25 minutes to cement himself as next for the winner of Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan.
The Brazilian wrestled a lot more than we’re used to seeing, was characteristically dominant on the ground and typically brutal on the feet. A lesser man than Chandler would, without doubt have found a way out of the fight but the American stayed in there for the full 25 minutes, winning the final round on all scorecards. Not only that, but Chandler put on a show in the final round, slamming Oliveira to the ground twice as the Brazilian had back control. Yet again, Chandler’s stock rises, despite losing.
Oliveria has punched his ticket as next for the winner of the (yet to be announced) upcoming lightweight title bout. He’s never looked better and has proved that he can go the full 25 minute championship distance for the first time in his career. The issue for Oliveira is that his. next fight depends on the outcome of Makhachev vs Tsarukyan. If the bout is extremely close or controversial in any way, the chances are they will book a rematch. With that being said, Do Bronx looked excellent and like a fine wine, is only getting better with age.
Other Fights to Make
Bo Nickal vs. Jack Hermansson
Viviane Araujo vs. Rose Namajunas
Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jai Herbert
Marcus McGhee vs. Rob Font
