LMAO this is just getting comical now!
GSP was retired and only came back for a MW title shot. No one even considers it as what made GSP a legend. GSP didn't act like he was gonna reign supreme over the MW division. Plus GSP was severely under sized compared to the entire division and he never even pretended to act like he was superior to anyone at MW before that
On the other hand JBJ talked about going to HW in 2013. You k ow in his prime... but of course he didn't cuz HW was stacked
He said he was "properly adding weight" for literally 3 yrs while already walked around at 235 as a lhw and Francis was in the division. But then magically was good to go the literal day Francis announced he was out and then came in looking like he added weight with the HW BJ Penn burrito diet.
Now JBJ wants to gas light and pretend he is the undisputed HW king and best HW ever while actively ducking the interim champ.
He's literally trying cherry pick opponents to avoid challenges while pretending to take on the toughest challenges. He's literally willing to vacate the HW belt rather than defend it vs Tom. It's on the same level as GDR vacating the belt to avoid Cyborg. It's ducking clear as day
Ur GDR and JBJ are ducking virtually
Both situations are exactly the same and there is no way to dispute it in good faith.
Both made decisions that made the most business sense during the twilight of their careers.
At the time, Woodley was in his prime and was the tougher fight stylistically. Bisping was a year older than GSP and just came off a narrow split decision over a 42 year old hendo in his retirement fight.
He took the bisping fight. It was an easier fight, more aged opponent, more money at stake, second belt on the line.
Ultimately, he made the smart move which made the most business and legacy sense, not unlike what Jones is doing(assuming he doesn't fight aspinall)
He was supposed to fight the winner of Whittaker Romero, then mysteriously became Ill and retired, never to be seen again.
The two situations mentalities are exactly the same, the only difference is you're biased towards one and hate another.
All fighters in the twilight of their career make decisions that make the most business sense. All of them. It isn't something unique to GSP or Jones, you can find examples even going back to the early days of boxing.
Only thing I'd add is that Stipe was already signed before aspinall came into the title picture. They both already trained for a full camp before Jones got injured, already promoted it, ufc already invested time, money and energy into selling it. They were never not going to do that fight, regardless of who came Into the picture.
So, Jones hasn't officially ducked anyone yet. There was never an offer to fight aspinall
If he decides to retire now, then people can say he's ducking, but he just fought and we really don't know how it's gonna play out yet.