The lights will be bright in Abu Dhabi this Saturday as UFC 321 brings the heavyweight division back into focus. Tom Aspinall will defend his undisputed title against Ciryl Gane, but the drama surrounding this bout extends beyond who wins the crown. Even Jon Jones, the sport’s all-time best, famously avoided a fight with the Briton, leaving questions about the future.

And now with Aspinall stepping into the cage, MMA fans and experts like Joe Rogan are dissecting exactly what makes Aspinall such a unique threat and why this fight might be more than just another heavyweight bout.

Joe Rogan reveals Tom Aspinall’s speed as the biggest threat

Aspinall’s rise to the undisputed title has been marked by a rapid rise and exceptional athleticism. The Manchester native’s first official defense follows an interim championship reign in which he defeated Curtis Blaydes in a rematch, solidifying his spot at the top. Meanwhile, Gane is hoping to make a statement after narrowly defeating Alexander Volkov in December and attempting to win the undisputed title for the third time.

The stage is set for a clash of styles, with Aspinall’s speed and pressure pitted against Gane’s precision striking and expertise. So, who would win? Well, according to Joe Rogan‘s analysis, it seems like Tom Aspinall will have the upper hand. And how do we know that? Well, that’s because the JRE host recently explained why the Briton’s skill set would have made Jon Jones pause.

He explained during his JRE MMA Show with Michael ‘Venom’ Page. “Aspinall moves like a 185-pounder, even though he’s a legit 250-pound natural. Jon is one of the greatest, but he’s not the fastest guy. That’s a problem when you’re not really a heavyweight, as great as Jon is.” MVP added that Aspinall’s energy and constant threat make him unlike anyone else in the division.

He said, “I’m a big fan of Tom Aspinall. You don’t see that anywhere, full stop (depletion of stamina).” Rogan continued to emphasize how Aspinall’s unique blend of size, speed, and combat IQ truly sets him apart from the rest in the division. “He’s fast as hell, and he’s big. There’s no heavyweight moves like him. Crazy speed for a guy this size. Jon would have had a hard time. No way he could make 205 ever, and he doesn’t need to.”

According to the JRE host, the reigning champion is an all-around athlete with a wide range of skills. These facts highlight why many analysts regard Tom Aspinall as not just the current champion but also a fighter capable of changing the heavyweight landscape for years to come. In fact, Jon Anik recently made a stunning claim, as he chose the Briton as the winner if there ever was a hypothetical fight between him and prime Daniel Cormier.

Jon Anik picks Tom Aspinall over Daniel Cormier and other UFC legends

UFC commentator Jon Anik recently participated in a ‘winner stays on’ scenario with MailSportBoxing, assessing how Tom Aspinall would stack up against some of the sport’s all-time greats. When asked to select between the Briton and his dear friend Daniel Cormier, Anik replied, “Ah! My broadcast partner! I gotta be consistent, Tom Aspinall.”

When asked about a hypothetical fight between the current champion and Jon Jones, Anik added, “You guys are good. You guys are good. One is active, one is not, so we’ll say Tommy Aspinall. Jonny Bones, where you at?” It is worth noting that Tom Aspinall himself acknowledged a few days ago that a prime ‘DC’ would have been a nightmare to fight against. Speaking on the ‘ShxtsnGigs’ podcast, he stated, “There’s no doubt that Daniel in his prime would’ve been a tough matchup. His wrestling, fight IQ, and experience would’ve tested me.”

Despite this acknowledgment, Anik remained confident, adding, “Compelling fight. Tom Aspinall’s the answer, every day of the week.” The scenario did not end there. Other legends, like Brock Lesnar, Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, and even Francis Ngannou, were considered, but Anik kept coming back to Aspinall.

According to the UFC commentator, the champion has the perfect mix of speed, power, and combat IQ as attributes that would allow him to compete with anyone from any generation. But what do you think? Will Tom Aspinall be able to continue being the phenom that he is perceived to be against Ciryl Gane? Let us know in the comments.