Curtis Blaydes calls out UFC's "weird, wonky matchups" as Tom Aspinall keeps getting denied of Jon Jones fight

Curtis Blaydes has called out the UFC for their legacy showdowns that may seemingly be determinantal to active contenders. The No.4 ranked heavyweight contender endorsed the idea of a Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall clash that is being deferred for a legacy fight.

The UFC seems hellbent on rebooking Jones' fight against former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic despite a spirited push from the MMA community for Aspinall to challenge 'Bones' in a title unification bout. Jones was booked to fight Miocic on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. However, a tear on the pectoral tendon forced him to pull out of the contest.

According to several fans, the allure of the matchup against a surging prospect like Aspinall outshines the drive to cement legacies with the Jones vs. Miocic matchup. Curtis' views seem to resonate with the opinion of the fans. Speaking in an interview with Amy Kaplan, he said:

"Honestly, in a perfect world, it should be Aspinall vs. Jon. But that's not the world we live in. The UFC's had a lot of weird wonky matchups over the years."

Curtis bolstered his argument by referencing Michael Bisping's rematch against Dan Henderson at UFC 204 despite several contenders waiting for their opportunity to challenge for the undisputed gold.

Catch Curtis' comments below:

UFC CEO Dana White has defended the idea of the fight on multiple occasions, claiming that both fighters have earned the right to engage in the legacy showdown. Meanwhile, Jones and Miocic have established the fight as a competitive affair and preview the matchup as a clash between the greatest in the UFC's light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.

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Jon Anik previews the implications of the Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes rematch

Interim UFC heavyweight champion Aspinall is set to take on Curtis Blaydes in a rematch on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304 at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

The heavyweight division is seemingly experiencing a standstill with champion Jon Jones' hiatus due to an injury. That said, UFC color commentator Jon Anik asserts that the upcoming fight between Aspinall and Blaydes will revitalize the division.

Speaking in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, he said:

“The interim belt is there because the undisputed title can’t be contested for whatever reason, so as far as I’m concerned, Tom Aspinall is defending the heavyweight championship against a very capable and unheralded Curtis Blaydes." [H/t: MMA Junkie]

He added:

"I certainly am hopeful that the winner of that fight emerges relatively unscathed, not just because my car’s waiting outside and the Round 1 knockout is a broadcaster’s dream, but also because I’d like to see some pressure on this heavyweight division to move forward. There are a lot of things that are happening, and hopefully, we get clarity.”

Catch Jon Anik's comments below (18:40):