The MMA community begs to see the most anticipating battle between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall as fans are gradually becoming more impatient.
However, it’s not just the fans who have waited long enough as Russian Heavyweight, Alexander Volkov, has shared his frustrations of Jones holding up the heaviest division in the UFC.
The #3 contender despises the delay of the potential fight as the chances of a title opportunity a gradually getting more slim for 36-year-old.
“As a fighter, of course, I have a negative opinion about the delay of the Jones-Aspinall fight, because my chances to fight for the championship title are getting smaller, and time is running out.” Volkov said to ChampionAT.
“That is why I am unhappy. So I would have had the chance to test myself in a title fight a long time ago, if it were not for Jon Jones.”
Unlucky Volkov and Triumphant Jones
The Moscow fighter has come close to fighting for a UFC title twice as he’s arguably been one fight away from claiming the opportunity.
The first close chance came at UFC 229 where he suffered a comeback defeat late in round three against Derrick Lewis, losing by knockout.
Lewis would go on to fight for the Heavyweight belt at UFC 230 against Daniel Cormier.
The second occasion came at UFC Vegas 30 as the Russian mixed martial artist was defeated by unanimous decision against Ciryl Gane.
The Frenchman would go on to fight for the Interim Heavyweight title in his next bout against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265.
Jones won the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 285, defeating Gane by first-round submission. ‘Bones’ was then scheduled to defend the title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but a pectoral injury cancelled the anticipating matchup.
Who else is to blame?
Volkov believes that not only is Jones to blame for the situation, but the UFC as well with the Heavyweight division losing a lot of interest and activity.
“The question here is not so much about Jon Jones, but about the fact that the UFC allows him to behave this way and shows excessive loyalty to him. As a result, everyone is waiting.” Volkov stated.
‘Drago’ is still believed to be in title contention from his most recent fight at UFC 310 where he suffered a split decision loss to Gane in their rematch, although Dana White and many of the UFC community believed the Russian did win.
The BJJ black belt was previously on a four-fight winning streak, holding victories over Sergei Pavlovich, Tai Tuivasa, Alexander Romanov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
It seems that the UFC Heavyweight division has gone downhill due to the lack of undisputed title fights.
Since 2019, there has only been one Heavyweight title fight, not including Interim title bouts, that have taken place each year.
White has mentioned on numerous occasions that the Jones vs Aspinall fight will eventually happen, but the posts that Jones has shared on social media has given MMA community doubts about the highly exciting battle ever happening.
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