Ciryl Gane is on a mission to secure his third UFC title shot, and the French heavyweight is determined to claim gold this time around. Before stepping into the octagon in a rematch against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310, Gane finds himself fielding a hot topic in MMA circles: should Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall? Given that ‘Bon Gamin’ has faced Jones before and is familiar with his skill set, many see him as the ideal person to weigh in on the matter.

Both Jones and Aspinall share some history with Gane, albeit in different ways—Jones handed him a decisive loss, while Aspinall has yet to step into the octagon with the Frenchman but the duo did have a social media exchange about an alleged “ducking” from Gane’s side in the past.

During an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri for Shak MMA, Gane was asked about the possibility of Jones facing Aspinall. He shared a pragmatic perspective, stating, “As a businessman, I think Jones is just looking for the biggest opportunity. Maybe he’s targeting a matchup against [Alex] Pereira for a massive show. If that doesn’t happen, then he might negotiate with the UFC for a fight against Aspinall. But honestly, Jon Jones has nothing left to prove. That’s why I think he’s being selective about his next move.”

From Daniel Cormier to Chael Sonnen, many MMA greats have shared their thoughts on the potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall matchup. Amid the ongoing debate, Ciryl Gane’s coach, Fernand Lopez, has joined the conversation, echoing a sentiment similar to his pupil’s. Let’s see what he had to say.

Fernand Lopez weighs in on the topic of Jones vs. Aspinall

While speaking to Mike Owens on Inside Fighting, Fernand Lopez shed light on Jon Jones’ strategic mindset. He explained that elite fighters often prioritize opponents who enhance their legacy—either by elevating their status or by presenting a monumental challenge. Lopez emphasized that this perspective is not a slight against Tom Aspinall, whose skill set and fighting style are undeniably dangerous.

Lopez provided a logical breakdown of the situation. “Who is forward? Jon Jones,” Lopez said. “Why would Jon Jones look back and fight Tom Aspinall? Tom is, one, dangerous, and two, not as valuable for legacy. On the other hand, you have Alex Pereira, who’s achieved everything—Glory champion, double champion in the UFC. Why not fight him?”

As someone who has coached a fighter against Jones, Lopez understands the complexities of preparing for a matchup with the MMA GOAT. From his perspective, Pereira presents a more lucrative and legacy-enhancing option, given the Brazilian’s storied career and ability to drive PPV sales. Similarly, this rationale aligns with why Aspinall might avoid fighting Gane, whose recent ranking drop could hinder his rise to superstardom. For Tom Aspinall, the next big target is Jon Jones, while for Jones, Pereira seems to be the logical choice.

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With Jones’ legacy already cemented, fans are left wondering: will he retire as the reigning champion, or will he accept a challenge from Aspinall or Pereira? How do you feel about Gane’s comments? Share your thoughts in the comments below!