Jon Jones (left) in meeting with Tom aspinall (right). Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
Dan Hardy believes that Tom aspinall will enter the octagon with extra pressure on UFC 321, scheduled for next Saturday (25). The Briton won the heavyweight belt (up to 120,2 kg) without having the opportunity to face Jon Jones, then champion. However, the duel against Cyryl Gane could represent a chance to surpass a mark left by 'Bones'.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Hardy highlighted that, in addition to the challenge of defending the belt, Aspinall may be mentally competing with Jones' performance, who needed just over two minutes to finalize Win in 2023. The former fighter believes that if the British fighter wins, comparisons about the time of victory will inevitably arise, which could influence the champion's strategy.
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“What I expect to hear after this is, ‘Oh, you didn’t beat him as fast as Jon.’ And I don’t know if this is going through Tom’s mind: how long does it take him to beat him? I believe Tom can beat Jon’s time.” Jon Jones against Ciryl. I think Tom can knock him out in a minute,” said Dan Hardy.
In the analyst's view, the matchup is particularly unfavorable for the Frenchman. Hardy emphasizes that Gane's main assets—his movement and refined technique for a heavyweight—are unlikely to have the same effect against Aspinall.
“I think this is a bad matchup for the Cyryl Gane, and I like Ciryl. I like his game and the style he brings to the heavyweight division. But I feel like the advantages Ciryl has against most heavyweights, he doesn't have against Tom. And Tom also has the knockout power and ground game to beat him. I think Tom will completely dominate him. It's going to be a one-sided fight," concluded Dan Hardy.
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