Daniel Cormier doubts that Tom Aspinall will actually serve as the backup fighter for UFC 309’s heavyweight title bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, citing past instances where backup fighters were bypassed and suggesting that the risk-reward calculus makes it unlikely for either main fighter to face Aspinall if an injury occurs.
Daniel Cormier doesn’t buy into the idea that Tom Aspinall is truly the backup fighter for UFC 309.
At UFC 309, Jon Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. This fight has been brewing for over a year. Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced that interim champion Tom Aspinall is the backup fighter for this bout.
But not everyone is convinced. Despite White’s assurances, doubts linger about whether Aspinall would actually step in if needed. And guess what? UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier is among the skeptics.
"You’re gullible," Cormier told co-host Chael Sonnen on their Good Guy/Bad Guy show. Sonnen had mentioned that both Jones and Miocic agreed to fight Aspinall at UFC 309. "No, it does not mean that! What it means is now we have another opportunity for disappointment…"
Cormier continued, "If one of those dudes gets hurt, neither one of them is fighting Tom Aspinall. You’re out of your mind. No way." He pointed out that when Jon Jones got injured previously, Sergei Pavlovich was the backup fighter. "Who fought?! If somebody gets hurt, get ready for Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane. Mark my words."
This wouldn’t be the first time a backup fighter was overlooked for a title shot. Not even the first time with this matchup. Jones and Miocic were supposed to fight a year ago at UFC 295 when Jones got injured and withdrew. Instead of having then-backup Sergei Pavlovich step in, the UFC delayed the fight. Aspinall ended up fighting Pavlovich in an interim bout.
Instances like these make Cormier skeptical about Aspinall’s chances at UFC 309. “I don’t get the backup fighter,” he said. He recalled how Charles Oliveira was set to fight Islam Makhachev, with Mateusz Gamrot as the backup, but Alexander Volkanovski was brought in instead.
"It’s not even about being scared," Cormier added. "It’s about risk management." If someone gets hurt in this fight, the reward vs. risk of fighting Aspinall is too great. "I don’t believe either of them will do it."
Contributing to the doubt around Aspinall’s role is that this fight might be the final bout for both Jones and Miocic. Dana White has said as much for Miocic, while Jones recently hinted this could be his last fight too.
Cormier doesn’t think fear drives their decisions but basic career calculus does. “A win over Tom Aspinall does nothing more for Jon Jones than a win over me or Vitor Belfort or Rashad Evans… But losing to Tom Aspinall? That’s different.”
He elaborated: “I’m telling you this as a guy who was on the wrong side of the Jon Jones equation for a long time… His legacy might mean more to him than taking that risk.”
Cormier knows both fighters well, having fought them five times combined. His rivalry with Jones defines both their careers. Given that history, Cormier believes there’s only one real way fans see Jones fight Aspinall.
“Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is more likely to happen if Stipe Miocic wins,” Cormier said. “That’s my take… If Stipe wins and Jones loses and feels like he has something to prove, it’s more likely he fights Tom Aspinall.”
UFC 309 takes place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.