We get it bro. You just really REEEEEAAAAALLY care about the business aspect of MMA right? You're in all the threads about fighter pay, fighting for all those poor wage slaves, all you really care about is fighters getting their fair due.
The issue we are facing here though bud, is that "the fight business" is also a sport. Jones is currently the UFC HW champion of the world. Which means every time he fights he has to put his belt on the line. Which means he has to fight whoever the top contender is, because that's who's most deserving.
Here's the thing, Jon is allowed to fight for a big paycheck and have his little legacy fights if that's what he wants to do. He is entitled to do so even.
What he isn't entitled to do is hold the UFC heavyweight title hostage while he takes nonsense fights against non contenders and retired geriatrics. If he wants to fight those guys then he should drop the belt and let a real champion reign that wants to take on all comers.
So, I'm sure you agree, being the smart business minded fellow that you are, that Jones should drop the belt yes? That way everybody wins.
Jon gets his big money paydays against pensioners and middleweights, and you get to watch "our boy" making bank in the process. While us dumb dumbs that just want to see the best fight the best get to enjoy watching a legitimate champion defend the belt against legitimate contenders.
I think there's validity in both sides
You can argue this side
But, it's also not really based in reality.
Because in virtually every occasion, across all combat sports, since the beginning of its inception, fighters have gone with what makes the most sense in business.
You can sell a fight with pereira.
You cannot, with Aspinall.
It's really that simple.
People want to overthink this and act like its about fear.
Just like Ngannou was supposedly scared of Jones.
No, this is prize fighting
And some of you guys don't live in reality about that fact.
This is a sport, but ultimately it's entertainment first and this is where the money comes from.
It's also about motivation. When you've reached a certain part of your career, you need something to get up for in the morning.
This is why so many fighters nearing the end of their career are looking for the "right fight"
I think that's also a big part of why he moved up to begin with.
People don't seem to understand that either.