The MMA neighborhood begs to see probably the most anticipating battle between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall as followers are regularly turning into extra impatient.
Nevertheless, it’s not simply the followers who’ve waited lengthy sufficient as Russian Heavyweight, Alexander Volkov, has shared his frustrations of Jones holding up the heaviest division within the UFC.
The #3 contender despises the delay of the potential combat because the possibilities of a title alternative a regularly getting extra slim for 36-year-old.
“As a fighter, after all, I’ve a unfavorable opinion concerning the delay of the Jones-Aspinall combat, as a result of my possibilities to combat for the championship title are getting smaller, and time is working out.” Volkov mentioned to ChampionAT.
“That’s the reason I’m sad. So I might have had the prospect to check myself in a title combat a very long time in the past, if it weren’t for Jon Jones.”
Unfortunate Volkov and Triumphant Jones
The Moscow fighter has come near preventing for a UFC title twice as he’s arguably been one combat away from claiming the chance.
The primary shut likelihood got here at UFC 229 the place he suffered a comeback defeat late in spherical three in opposition to Derrick Lewis, shedding by knockout.
Lewis would go on to combat for the Heavyweight belt at UFC 230 in opposition to Daniel Cormier.
The second event got here at UFC Vegas 30 because the Russian combined martial artist was defeated by unanimous choice in opposition to Ciryl Gane.
The Frenchman would go on to combat for the Interim Heavyweight title in his subsequent bout in opposition to Derrick Lewis at UFC 265.
Jones gained the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 285, defeating Gane by first-round submission. ‘Bones’ was then scheduled to defend the title in opposition to Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, however a pectoral damage cancelled the anticipating matchup.
Who else is responsible?
Volkov believes that not solely is Jones responsible for the scenario, however the UFC as nicely with the Heavyweight division shedding a variety of curiosity and exercise.
“The query right here shouldn’t be a lot about Jon Jones, however about the truth that the UFC permits him to behave this fashion and reveals extreme loyalty to him. In consequence, everyone seems to be ready.” Volkov acknowledged.
‘Drago’ continues to be believed to be in title competition from his most up-to-date combat at UFC 310 the place he suffered a cut up choice loss to Gane of their rematch, though Dana White and most of the UFC neighborhood believed the Russian did win.
The BJJ black belt was beforehand on a four-fight profitable streak, holding victories over Sergei Pavlovich, Tai Tuivasa, Alexander Romanov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Plainly the UFC Heavyweight division has gone downhill as a result of lack of undisputed title fights.
Since 2019, there has solely been one Heavyweight title combat, not together with Interim title bouts, which have taken place annually.
White has talked about on quite a few events that the Jones vs Aspinall combat will ultimately occur, however the posts that Jones has shared on social media has given MMA neighborhood doubts concerning the extremely thrilling battle ever taking place.
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