UFC veteran Renato Moicano recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing heavyweight title picture, specifically addressing the public back-and-forth between lineal champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall. While UFC CEO Dana White consistently states that a unification bout between the two is planned, Moicano remains unconvinced.
Moicano finds the current situation, where Aspinall is sidelined without a clear path to unify the belts, “absurd.” He drew a parallel between Jones` actions and Conor McGregor`s long wait for Michael Chandler, suggesting that Jones might be intentionally delaying the fight, hoping to potentially outlast Tom Aspinall`s prime. He noted that while Jones holds a championship, McGregor possessed a unique level of global “hype” that amplified his situation.
Despite believing Dana White`s genuine desire to book the fight, Moicano understands the UFC`s difficult position. The promotion relies on the image and influence of major stars like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor, particularly as they navigate negotiations for a crucial new television deal. Moicano argued that removing these figures could significantly impact the company, especially in an era where globally recognized superstars like Ronda Rousey or Brock Lesnar are rare. He feels only Alex Pereira recently approached that level of popularity, but lost momentum.
He detailed the current landscape, pointing out a lack of widespread popularity among many reigning champions across different weight classes. This scarcity of global stars, Moicano contends, increases the value and leverage of figures like Jones and McGregor.
Regarding the heavyweight division specifically, Moicano offered a critical assessment, stating he believes Ciryl Gane “sucks” and that other potential contenders like Alexander Volkov are not actively pursuing fights. This, in his opinion, puts the heavyweight division firmly “in Jon Jones’ hands.”
Moicano suspects Jon Jones is deliberately avoiding a fight with Tom Aspinall, simply “buying time.” He believes Jones sees a significant risk of losing to Aspinall, whom he describes as representing a “new generation” of heavyweights – fast and athletic – making the potential defeat not worth the gamble for Jones.
This situation, Moicano explained, not only generates fan demand but also grants Jones (and McGregor) considerable leverage in their dealings with the UFC. While acknowledging the UFC`s role in building stars like McGregor, Moicano cautioned the promotion to manage its top fighters carefully, using the analogy of controlling a “wolf” that shouldn`t become too powerful for its owner.
Moicano observed that the UFC`s financial health appears strong, projecting even greater success with a potential new massive television deal (possibly with Netflix or Amazon) promising billions annually. He noted the UFC`s efficient “machine” is designed to constantly produce content and promote new fighters, often rapidly advancing talent from the Contender Series onto bigger stages.
Ultimately, Moicano concluded that the significant leverage currently held by Jon Jones and McGregor is directly tied to these impending TV deal negotiations. The UFC needs high viewership numbers and star power to demonstrate value and secure the most lucrative deal possible. Once the contract is signed, he suggested, that specific leverage might diminish for a period, allowing the promotion to rely more on its established operational model.
