[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] wants to see [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] help clarify the state of the heavyweight division.
Interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) runs things back with Blaydes (18-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in the UFC 304 co-main event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) July 27 in Manchester, England.
With Jon Jones’ first title defense vs. Stipe Miocic yet to be officially booked, Anik hopes the outcome of Aspinall vs. Blaydes helps the division finally move forward.
“Certainly a 25-minute war between Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall that results in six months of recovery time wouldn’t be ideal for either party, nor would it be for MMA fans who want to see things expedited in this heavyweight division,” Anik told MMA Junkie Radio.
“It really is crazy to think about a Stipe Miocic who was 38 years old competing in there (vs. Ngannou) and we’ll next see him when he’s 42. He’s sort of the least talked about component of this bracket right now, but that seems crazy to me.”
Aspinall was eager to unify his belt with heavyweight champion Jones, but finds himself defending his interim title instead. Anik sees Aspinall as a legitimate champion.
“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,” Anik said.
“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.”
However, Anik understands why Jones was never stripped of his heavyweight title after a year-and-a-half on the sidelines due to injury.
“Tom Aspinall is ready, willing and able to show the world that he can be the undisputed heavyweight champion and the best heavyweight.” Anik said. “And there are other guys Curtis Blaydes who are ready to show that, as well, in their fighting prime, not wanting to waste any those prime months, never mind years.
“So it’s tricky when the greatest mixed martial arts athlete of all time tears his (pectoral muscle) because there’s not going to be a vacation of title and you’re certainly not going to strip the GOAT.”
[lawrence-related id=2754702,2749206,2743173,2742846]
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.