NoBodY kNowS aBouT AsPinALL, hE's iRrEleVAnT!

[mkess101]

i agree,

but when compared to jones he is a nobody, and if you were to argue that he is infact a somebody, it would be his proximity to jones that makes it so

From a fame standpoint, Stipe was a nobody compared to Jones too. He hadn't fought in 3-4 years and his relevance was completely evaporated. New fans didn't even know who he was. Jones still was fine waiting for that "legacy" fight. And we know exactly why.

That Jones is more known than Aspinall still means nothing when it comes to goobers here using that as a rationale for Jones avoiding the fight like the plague.

 

[RockyLockridge]

From a fame standpoint, Stipe was a nobody compared to Jones too.

but from an accolade standpoint he wasn't he was still the most accomplished HW to ever fight in the UFC. Supposedly, Jones debut at HW drew almost 1 million PPVS. Jones moving to hw was one of the most anticipated events in mma history (atleast 4 years too late by my account, Barely cared by the time it actually happened, ala floyd vs manny)

 

[Koro_11]

Him retiring is absolutely fine. Him saying Aspinall is a nobody, then asking a shitload of money, then retiring, then saying he would fight Pereira? Not really. Either fight or retire.
And btw, I chose Jon to win when the fight vs Aspinall was “a certain thing” according to Dana White.

But he’s not wrong, us hard-cores know that Tom is absolutely a threat, but you can understand how the average casual paper view buyer won’t know him from a hole in the wall and won’t get too excited about the matchup and someone like Poatan would be much more lucrative to Jon, who just wants another massive payday against a big household name.

We may not like it, but that’s just the business of the sport, and for a guy like Jon, who spent nearly two decades building his legacy. You can’t say he hasn’t earned the right to pick a few opponents at the end of his career.

 

[DumpsterBaby]

Him honoring his heritage and background is more like it .

That’s why he only does it when the cameras are on, and bangs sluts and parties when they’re not.

 

[ShadowRun]

That’s why he only does it when the cameras are on, and bangs sluts and parties when they’re not.

ok noob

 

[World eater]

But he’s not wrong, us hard-cores know that Tom is absolutely a threat, but you can understand how the average casual paper view buyer won’t know him from a hole in the wall and won’t get too excited about the matchup and someone like Poatan would be much more lucrative to Jon, who just wants another massive payday against a big household name.

We may not like it, but that’s just the business of the sport, and for a guy like Jon, who spent nearly two decades building his legacy. You can’t say he hasn’t earned the right to pick a few opponents at the end of his career.

You make valid points and you are not wrong in most of this reasoning. Where we disagree is at the point where a person holds the belt. Legacy fights are fine, but not while holding the belt hostage and refusing to fight the interim (who also defended that fake belt). I blame the UFC, of course.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

But he’s not wrong, us hard-cores know that Tom is absolutely a threat, but you can understand how the average casual paper view buyer won’t know him from a hole in the wall and won’t get too excited about the matchup and someone like Poatan would be much more lucrative to Jon, who just wants another massive payday against a big household name.

Poatan is a bigger name than Aspinall but even so I dont think Jon/Poatan is necessarily that much bigger than Jon/Tom at this point. Jon/Tom has a lot more context around it and has been built up for longer. Lets face it, a lot of people just want to see Jon finally get steamrolled too and theres seemingly more chance of that happening against Tom.

Either fight is huge anyway. I dont get this brushing aside of the Tom fight like it isnt one of the biggest possible fights the UFC could make.

 

[mkess101]

but from an accolade standpoint he wasn't he was still the most accomplished HW to ever fight in the UFC. Supposedly, Jones debut at HW drew almost 1 million PPVS. Jones moving to hw was one of the most anticipated events in mma history (atleast 4 years too late by my account, Barely cared by the time it actually happened, ala floyd vs manny)

Sure, but "accomplishments" have an expiration date as they pertain to current matchmaking. A guy in his 40's that hadn't won a fight in almost HALF A DECADE wasn't relevant. And new fans didn't even remember him.

I was excited for Jones/Gane, absolutely curious how Jones would look at HW. He looked like a skinny/fat dude going in, but he performed perfectly and took out Gane with ease. I was FAR less excited for Stipe because I knew Stipe was dust.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Sure, but "accomplishments" have an expiration date as they pertain to current matchmaking.

both fighters were past the best before date so it never really mattered. I've said from the begining that if jones vs Stipe is such a big deal, That we should ignore all conventional match making standards, why does the HW title need to be the backdrop of the fight? If it's such a monumental thing, why does the the title need to be involved? Why not just a non title fight instead of draging the HW title through the mud for 2 years? Never wanted it. Just wanted jones to fight stipe then fuck right off.

 

[mkess101]

both fighters were past the best before date so it never really mattered. I've said from the begining that if jones vs Stipe is such a big deal, That we should ignore all conventional match making standards, why does the HW title need to be the backdrop of the fight? If it's such a monumental thing, why does the the title need to be involved? Why not just a non title fight instead of draging the HW title through the mud for 2 years? Never wanted it. Just wanted jones to fight stipe then fuck right off.

Jones was past his best days but at least still in his 30's and had beaten a legit HW within the past couple years. Stipe hadn't won a fight in 4.5 years and was 42.

Otherwise I completely agree

 

[RockyLockridge]

Jones was past his best days but at least still in his 30's and had beaten a legit HW within the past couple years. Stipe hadn't won a fight in 4.5 years and was 42.

Otherwise I completely agree

Yeah well if weidman and rockhold rematched right now, Who in your eyes is more washed?

The match making would be sensible because both are washed. (the ufc desperate to convince me Stipe wasn't washed, no cigar) Which is why most people are bullish on chandler vs conor, because it feels like they are on evenly washed ground.

I agree that Stipe was in the second spincycle of his wash. Jones was still in the "soak" portion of his washing. if you follow my meaning

 

[SuperAlly]

Yeah well if weidman and rockhold rematched right now, Who in your eyes is more washed?

The match making would be sensible because both are washed. (the ufc desperate to convince me Stipe wasn't washed, no cigar) Which is why most people are bullish on chandler vs conor, because it feels like they are on evenly washed ground.

I agree that Stipe was in the second spincycle of his wash. Jones was still in the "soak" portion of his washing. if you follow my meaning

I think Chandler would humiliate Conor

Chandler was never really more than 5-10 gatekeeper level, but he hasn't fallen off as hard as Conor

 

[mkess101]

Yeah well if weidman and rockhold rematched right now, Who in your eyes is more washed?

The match making would be sensible because both are washed. (the ufc desperate to convince me Stipe wasn't washed, no cigar) Which is why most people are bullish on chandler vs conor, because it feels like they are on evenly washed ground.

I agree that Stipe was in the second spincycle of his wash. Jones was still in the "soak" portion of his washing. if you follow my meaning

Ehh...I get that Gane looked star struck and clueless and likely fought well below his potential but that's still a really good win for Jones and was recent enough to say Jones wasn't "washed". We can say he wasn't peak (fully agree) but he was probably 3 full levels removed from how far along Stipe was.

 

[Tweak896]

UFC desperately needs a superstar. I hope it's Aspinall and he sells well. But here's the thing, they are only really a star when everyone knows it. UFC is announcing PPV numbers to brag, the mma world is obsessed with him. Lets see where it goes, but to really send him higher in popularity he's going to need to KO Gane. He has the support of Jones haters right now describing him at HW goat with no flaws, but he's going to have to be active and show it.

 

[Local Plata]

Self fulfilling prophecy. UFC creates 'storylines' now like some fucking joke pro wrestling show. Anyone that doesn't fit into it is 'not marketable', mostly because they dont market them.

 

[Koro_11]

Poatan is a bigger name than Aspinall but even so I dont think Jon/Poatan is necessarily that much bigger than Jon/Tom at this point. Jon/Tom has a lot more context around it and has been built up for longer. Lets face it, a lot of people just want to see Jon finally get steamrolled too and theres seemingly more chance of that happening against Tom.

Either fight is huge anyway. I dont get this brushing aside of the Tom fight like it isnt one of the biggest possible fights the UFC could make.

Yeah, I don’t disagree with any of that, I just find it funny how everyone else who has retired with a belt seems to get a pass, but people want to crucify Jones for leaving the sport without, giving them the pleasure of watching him get knocked out.

The guy is almost 40 and won belts in 2 weight classes and has double digit title defenses, Nurmagomedov was like 32 when he called it quits and defended the belt like twice and didn’t get a fraction of that hate.

 

[SuperAlly]

Yeah, I don’t disagree with any of that, I just find it funny how everyone else who has retired with a belt seems to get a pass,

Jones fans just love to make up lies don't they

Just about everyone who left without defending the belt and ultimately losing it in a bout gets shit for it

Khabib, GSP, Ngannou as the most high profile ones off the top of my head

Jon isn't some martyr or victim being treated any differently to anyone else

He might catch a little more flack for the way he went about it, but thats totally deserved. And it's completely dishonesty to state what you have in the quote above

 

[Koro_11]

Jones fans just love to make up lies don't they

Just about everyone who left without defending the belt and ultimately losing it in a bout gets shit for it

Khabib, GSP, Ngannou as the most high profile ones off the top of my head

Jon isn't some martyr or victim being treated any differently to anyone else

He might catch a little more flack for the way he went about it, but thats totally deserved. And it's completely dishonesty to state what you have in the quote above

Not a Jones fan sherbro, just think the over the top hate is a bit disproportionate.

 

[JBJ was here]

Has there ever been more hype behind a fighter that has accomplished less ?

Rumored Thread 'Ilia vs Paddy UFC 324 Paramount debut card'

Oct 21, 2025

They did Justin dirtay.

• BEATDOWNS
• Replies: 111
• Forum: UFC Discussion

• 
• 
• 

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

Yeah, I don’t disagree with any of that, I just find it funny how everyone else who has retired with a belt seems to get a pass, but people want to crucify Jones for leaving the sport without, giving them the pleasure of watching him get knocked out.

The guy is almost 40 and won belts in 2 weight classes and has double digit title defenses, Nurmagomedov was like 32 when he called it quits and defended the belt like twice and didn’t get a fraction of that hate.

Honestly he should have done what GSP did when he pulled that smash and grab on the MW title, ie GTFO quick. At the time he won the belt Tom had been out for a year with his injury and wasnt fully on the radar yet. Holding onto the belt for so long, and defending it against a 42 year old 4 years removed from a win instead of the interim champion everyone had been screaming at him to fight for a year, is what brought so much heat on him.