After only a few fights into his UFC Career, UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has already been declared the GOAT by renowned MMA coach Firas Zahabi.
Zahabi is best known as the longtime trainer of the UFC Hall of Famer George St-Pierre. Zahabi asserts that Tom Aspinall has surpassed Stipe Miocic as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.
The current British sensation is expected to face Jon Jones in a heavyweight title unification bout next year. Tom Aspinall was able to watch cage-side as Jon Jones delivered one of his most dominant performances. This was when he was able to finish Stipe Miocic in Round 3 at UFC 309. Tom Aspinall had weighed in as the backup fighter for the event, positioning himself as the front-runner to challenge Jon Jones if the UFC persuades the lineal heavyweight champion to return for another fight. While Jon Jones has hinted at retirement in the weeks leading up to UFC 309, he reversed course during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan– though he stopped short of naming Tom Aspinall as his next opponent.
Tom Aspinall was able to claim the interim heavyweight title last year, with a stunning knockout at UFC 295. This was against Sergei Pavlovich in an event where Jon Jones was originally scheduled to face Stipe Miocic before being side-lined by injury.
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and others have heralded Tom Aspinall as the future of the heavyweight division. While Tom Aspinall’s accomplishments may have already earned widespread acclaim, Zahabi has taken it further, declaring him the greatest heavyweight of all time.
Firas Zahabi Declares Tom Aspinall the Greatest Heavyweight Ever
In a recent analysis on the Tristar Gym YouTube channel, coach Firas Zahabi made a bold proclamation about Tom Aspinall. This is even before the rising star steps into the octagon against Jon Jones. Zahabi said this when he said;
“I think he could be the man to beat Jon Jones—and finish him,”
“I don’t see anyone lasting more than two rounds with Aspinall. Nobody in the world. Pound-for-pound, that’s another discussion. But as the biggest, strongest fighter in the heavyweight division, I don’t think anyone can take him out.”
Zahabi wouldn’t stop there when he continued by saying;
“A lot of people say Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight of all time, but no, he’s not! He was the greatest until Francis Ngannou dethroned him. Ngannou then became the greatest heavyweight. But now, in my mind—and unofficially, of course—it’s Tom Aspinall. He’s the greatest heavyweight of all time. There’s a very real chance Jones gets his lights put out.”
Jon Jones’s only career loss came due to disqualification for illegal elbows against Matt Hamill back in 2009. This is a result which could be overturned to a no-contest under recent changes to MMA’s unified rules. The closest Jon Jones has ever come to being finished was during his epic clash against Alexander Gustafsson. This was at UFC 165. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall’s dominance is evident as he has finished all eight of his UFC victories within two rounds. This has included decisive victories over veterans like Andrei Arlovski and Alexander Volkov.
Aspinall Eyes Jon Jones Showdown in 2025 Amid GOAT Debate
Tom Aspinall has remained optimistic that the UFC will finalise the highly anticipated fight against Jon Jones in 2025. However, Jon Jones has gone and downplayed Tom Aspinall in recent weeks. Jon Jones has suggested a potential super fight with Alex Pereira as his preferred return matchup.
Tom Aspinall’s only UFC loss came back in 2022 against Curtis Blaydes. This was due to an injury stoppage. Since that fight, he has rebounded impressively, avenging the defeat in his last outing. Not only that but, he has also been able to secure dominant finishes over Marcin Tybura and Sergei Pavlovich.
2025 is now approaching and Jon Jones against Tom Aspinall is at the top of many UFC fans’ dream fight lists. A victory for Jon Jones would go and further solidify his case as the all-time GOAT, while Tom Aspinall has the chance to cement his legacy by dethroning the MMA icon.
At only 31 years old, Tom Aspinall has already been hailed as the heavyweight GOAT by Firas Zahabi. Whether Tom Aspinall can live up to Zahabi’s bold proclamation remains to be seen however, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images
