According to Georges St-Pierre, Tom Aspinall should stop fixating on Jon Jones.
For over a year, Aspinall has sought a fight with Jones to unify the UFC heavyweight championships, a pursuit that hasn`t gone smoothly. Initially, the interim titleholder was bypassed last November when Jones faced former champion Stipe Miocic in a highly anticipated legacy bout. Now, recent reports suggest negotiations for a potential Aspinall-Jones fight remain stalled, and the UFC is reportedly considering having Aspinall defend his interim belt for a second time this summer. This ongoing situation is causing increasing frustration for Aspinall and his team.
“I believe Tom needs to prioritize his next immediate challenge,” St-Pierre shared with Ariel Helwani. “I recall making the error after my loss to Matt Serra of focusing solely on getting revenge right away, but I had other fights scheduled before that rematch. If his entire focus is on Jon Jones, and Jon Jones isn`t returning to fight anytime soon, then his energy is misdirected. He must concentrate on what lies ahead, his immediate next step. Everything else serves as a distraction.”
“Things that are meant to happen will happen eventually. I`m not sure what Jon will decide, but as a fan, I genuinely want to see this fight. In terms of historical achievement and legacy, Jon Jones is widely considered the best. And I understand Tom`s perspective; he`s a proud fighter who wants to challenge the very top. However, whether this fight occurs now depends entirely on Jon`s wishes—if he still wants it, if he`s compensated appropriately, all those factors are at play. Therefore, Tom shouldn`t dwell on it because it`s beyond his control, and he`s wasting valuable mental energy.”
It`s certainly understandable why Aspinall might feel frustrated. He currently holds the distinction of being the longest-serving interim champion in UFC history… Aspinall finds himself in an unprecedented position, essentially waiting on Jones`s decision while the UFC appears content to let the situation unfold at Jones`s pace. Nevertheless, St-Pierre advises Aspinall to put these concerns out of his mind.
“I know it`s extremely difficult,” St-Pierre acknowledged, “but he needs to essentially `self-hypnotize` himself to focus intensely on the next task and cultivate strong motivation for it. By consistently focusing on the next challenge, and then the next, he will build his own legacy, and perhaps one day, he will be recognized as the greatest. He possesses all the necessary qualities.”
For his part, St-Pierre also expressed understanding for Jones`s perspective. The legendary welterweight himself experienced difficulties with the UFC regarding contract negotiations at times, so he empathizes with Jones`s current position.
“Many people are eager for this fight because there`s a strong belief that Tom is the fighter capable of solving Jon Jones`s unique puzzle,” St-Pierre remarked. “Speaking as a fan, I`m keen to see this matchup. I appreciate both sides of the situation. Jon wants to ensure he`s properly compensated; it`s a negotiation process, a strategic game. On the other hand, Tom is in a waiting pattern. I understand both viewpoints, but Tom`s focus must remain on his upcoming challenge. He needs to clear his mind of the other circumstances and concentrate solely on what`s next for him.”
