It's no secret that Jones, who debuted in the UFC at 21, was much younger than his opponents on his rise to fame. Jones has only fought three fighters in his career who were truly younger than him: Anthony Smith (-1 years), Dominick Reyes (-2 years), and Ciryl Gane (-3 years). If Jones and Aspinall fought in 2024, Aspinall would be six years younger.
In the later stages of his career, Jones was known less for his reactivity and dynamism and more for his durability and ability to do just enough to win. 'Just enough' gets harder to apply when your opponent is younger, fitter, and reacts faster. Aspinall's fast-twitch style demands attention, and it is known in combat sports that a fighter's reaction times diminish with age.
I mentioned it before, but Aspinall would be the biggest opponent Jones has ever faced. In this sport, some fighters bypass and override technique with their overwhelming presence. Examples include early-career Francis Ngannou and Brock Lesnar, who were exceptionally strong, fast, and athletically gifted. Aspinall fits this description perfectly.
The difference is that Ngannou and Lesnar relied on sheer athleticism rather than technical skill. In contrast, Aspinall is technically well-rounded and exceptionally athletic, which allows him to overcome skill disparities. While Jones' range control and fight IQ are highly praised, their effectiveness may be limited when facing a 6'5" boxer-grappler who can impose his dominance in the cage.
Aside from Alex Pereira vs. Jones, a bout between Aspinall and Jones for the heavyweight strap would be the biggest fight the UFC could make this decade. The result matters less to me than the fact that it happens, although it's unlikely. Still, Aspinall is doing a great job of calling out Jones and building interest in the matchup, so there's always potential.

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