Barely a day after claiming he was “done” during a FaceTime call with Kamil Gadzhiev from Thailand, UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones reignited speculation about his future. Over the weekend, he sent MMA fans into a frenzy with a cryptic Instagram Story, hinting at a possible return to defend his title against interim champion Tom Aspinall. Although the UFC has yet to officially confirm the long-hyped showdown, Dana White has already dropped strong hints and urged the MMA community to stay patient and simply “relax.”

With momentum picking up, anticipation for a clash between Jones and Aspinall is at a fever pitch, fueled by analysts and insiders who are now making bold predictions. One of those insiders is none other than former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Rutten weighed in on the burning question: Can Tom Aspinall beat Jon Jones? His reply was measured yet direct: “I think so,“ said the three-time King of Pancrase champion. However, Rutten was quick to highlight that ‘Bones’s’ greatness lies not just in skill, but in composure and strategy inside the Octagon.

To drive home his point, Rutten reflected on one of Jon Jones’s most iconic performances—his 2017 205lbs title defense against Daniel Cormier at UFC 214. That fight ended in the third round with a vicious head kick, but Rutten insists it wasn’t just brilliance—it was planning and patience.

“I think he landed it in round three, but he set it up for two rounds. To set that up for two rounds… people have no idea how hard that is, man. I guarantee you in the first round, after connecting with the body kick a few times, he already wanted to go for it.”

Renowned for his exceptional fight IQ, Jon Jones didn’t rush the finish. Despite the advice from his corner and the natural urge to end the fight early, he remained calm and composed.

Rutten explained, “Your mind tells you—there are two voices, I always say. One is very aggressive, wants to get it over with. And the other guy? The relaxed fighter. You’ve got to listen to the relaxed one…But to hold something back… you’ve got to understand: if you fail—it’s Cormier. I mean, if Cormier connects with a punch, you’re out. The freaking guy can hit too, you know? And to wait until the third round, and then pull the switch… that means you’re completely in control.”

Jon Jones, a 16-year veteran of the Octagon, has truly done it all. Over his legendary career, he’s dismantled two full generations of elite competition. In his highly anticipated rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, the Mexican made a dominant return, only for it to be overshadowed by a positive test for Turinabol, turning his victory into a maelstrom of controversy.

Yet, through the ups, the downs, and the drama, Jon Jones has cemented his place as the highest-paid and arguably most revered fighter in MMA history. And despite their heated rivalry, even ‘DC’ can’t deny that ‘Bones’ possesses the highest “fight IQ” the sport has ever witnessed.

Daniel Cormier pointed out Jon Jones for his high fight IQ

Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones have one of the fiercest rivalries in MMA, often considered second only to the legendary clash between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Throughout their careers, they faced off twice, with ‘Bones’ ultimately coming out on top. But their rivalry goes far beyond the Octagon — it’s fueled by deep-seated animosity, trash talk, and personal barbs exchanged between them.

Even though ‘DC’ retired years ago and now serves as an analyst for ESPN, their rivalry still strikes a chord with fans. Jon Jones has openly admitted to making derogatory remarks in the past, but Daniel Cormier addressed it by saying, “We aren’t perfect, and I don’t think that we ever have to be.” Despite their history, Cormier continues to respect Jones’ mental toughness and exceptional fight IQ.

When rumors emerged in 2022 about Jon Jones moving up to heavyweight, Cormier weighed in, stating, “If he’s beatable, why hasn’t anybody beaten him? He’s long, he’s strong, he’s got good cardio, and he’s got a lot of great qualities in there. He’s very smart in the octagon. That’s one of the areas I think people don’t give Jones the credit for — his mentality and his fight IQ, his ability to process through a fight is better than most, and I think that’s why he’s had the longevity that he had.”

Now, with Jones preparing to return and take on Tom Aspinall, do you think he can defend his title and claim victory in what might be his final fight? Share your thoughts below.