Ben Askren says he's baffled by UFC’s decision to sideline Tom Aspinall from facing Jon Jones at UFC 309: "It really sucks"

Jon Jones is set to make his highly-anticipated return to the octagon when he faces Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. The pair had originally been set to clash at UFC 295 a year prior, however, 'Bones' was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury.

It will mark his first time entering the octagon since defeating Ciryl Gane via first-round submission at UFC 285 last March. While the bout is now official, there has been a vocal part of the mixed martial arts community that continues to make the case that Tom Aspinall should be Jones' opponent. Ben Askren is among the group who was hoping to see the latter bout come to fruition.

Speaking on Daniel Cormier's self-titled YouTube channel, the former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion discussed the heavyweight champion reiterating his plans to retire, stating:

"I hear it with a note of sadness because I want to see him fight Tom Aspinall, I've said forever. It doesn't appear to be happening. It really sucks. It sucks that I have to speak against Stipe because I have nothing against him."

Askren also said:

"Tom Aspinall's been out here in the streets beating everyone up. I would love to see Tom Aspinall versus Jon Jones."

Check out Ben Askren's comments on Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall below (starting at the 1:15 mark):

Askren added that Aspinall has proven himself to be deserving of the bout. Unfortunately for the interim heavyweight champion, Jones had expressed an interest in facing Miocic and retiring long before his recent rise to the top of the division.

Daniel Cormier doesn't believe Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic will face Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall is set to serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 309 heavyweight title clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Daniel Cormier doesn't believe that either fighter would face the interim heavyweight champion if there is any injury.

Speaking on his self-titled YouTube channel, he noted that Sergei Pavlovich was the backup at UFC 295 but did not face the two-time heavyweight champion when 'Bones' got hurt:

"There is no guarantee that because he's the backup fighter somebody is going to fight him. I would almost guess that if someone gets hurt, Tom Aspinall stays on the card and he fights neither one of those guys.

"Neither one of those guys are fighting Tom Aspinall if they don't have to. It'll be Tom Aspinall versus Ciryl Gane or somebody for the interim championship because those guys are fighting each other and nobody else."

Check out Daniel Cormier's comments on Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic facing Tom Aspinall below (starting at the 4:12 mark):

Aspinall has already defended the interim heavyweight title, which 'Bones' injury opened the door for him to capture at UFC 295. While he has attempted to delay the retirement of the heavyweight champion, it appears likely that UFC 309 will bring an end to Jones' legendary mixed martial arts career.