The MMA GOAT argument is always interesting to watch. It gets more exciting when professional fighters vote for their favorite fighter of all time. While certain common names are on everyone’s list, Tom Aspinall believes Anderson Silva does not deserve to be on his. The Brit’s comments may have come off as a dig towards Jon Jones as well.
Anderson Silva is regarded as one of the best fighters ever to grace the octagon. The ‘Spider’ had incredible striking and BJJ techniques. Silva was extremely entertaining to watch in his prime, and many fans and experts consider him as their GOAT. However, for Aspinall, record and achievements don’t matter if the fighters have tested positive for PEDs.
I really like Anderson Silva but he was also failing a lot of drug tests so I don’t really like that. Once someone starts failing drug tests that’s a red flag in my mind.
Tom Aspinall via Froch on Fighting YouTube channel
Anderson Silva failed drug tests following UFC 183 in January 2015, testing positive for both drostanolone and androsterone. As a result, he was suspended for one year and fined $380,000. Further, the Nevada State Athletic Commission declared his victory over Nick Diaz a no-contest. As such, Aspinall cites PED failures to eliminate Silva from the GOAT debate. It also means he doesn’t regard Jon Jones as the GOAT, as the heavyweight champion has failed drug tests.
👀Tom Aspinall names GSP as the best MMA fighter of all time and says Anderson Silva is down the list because of his failed drug tests
“I really like Anderson Silva but he was also failing a lot of drug tests so I don’t really like that. Once someone starts failing drug tests… pic.twitter.com/tgVOdXGH8M
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 4, 2024
According to reports, Silva didn’t take PEDs to gain any unfair advantage. The Brazilian used it to recover from the gruesome leg injury during his fight with Chris Weidman in 2013. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem to change Tom Aspinall’s stance about his GOAT credentials. On the other hand, the interim champion is on his way to achieving greatness and most probably will do it without using PEDs.
What will it take for Tom Aspinall to become the GOAT?
Tom Aspinall‘s rise to the top has been monumental. The Brit has fought nine times in the UFC, but he has only lost once due to an unfortunate injury. Other than that, Aspinall has dominated everyone and has established himself as a knockout specialist. The fighter spent the least amount of average time inside the octagon as none of his fights went to distance.
Tom Aspinall (via X)
At UFC 304, Tom Aspinall ran through opponent Curtis Blaydes with ease. He dropped Blaydes in the first round and finished the fight via TKO. After the performance, Dana White was asked about Aspinall’s potential to become the UFC GOAT during the press conference. White had a rather logical response.
So, there is no doubt that the guy’s got talent. When you start talking, he won the fight tonight, if he could be the greatest of all time? Again you know how I feel about Jon Jones. You got some big shoes to fill, you got a lot of people to wreck. Before you even start talking about even being in Jon Jones universe.
Dana White via UFC 304 post-fight press conference
Aspinall is currently fixated on his potential title unification bout with Jon Jones. The heavyweight champion has frequently rejected Aspinall’s offer to fight. However, after UFC 304, Jones has no chance. After finishing his business with Stipe Miocic later this year, Jones will have no other option but to give Aspinall his shot.
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