News Tom Aspinall 'Wouldn't Blame' Jon Jones For Retiring After First Defense: 'He Doesn't Have To Fight

[AMAZINGUFC]

Aspinall: 'Jones Has Nothing To Prove'
During a recent interview with former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, Aspinall assessed speculation regarding the length of Jones' planned heavyweight stint.

"I've been saying this for ages," Aspinall said. "I was like, 'Look, he's going to go up there, have one fight, fight Stipe, and then retire.' Everyone says, 'He signed an eight-fight deal or whatever, six-fight deal, and he's put all this weight on!' I'm like, there's no chance... I always thought from the beginning, maybe he'll come up, have one or two fights, and then leave it at that. I'm sure that's what he's gonna do.

"The guy doesn't have to be fighting someone like me or someone like (Sergei) Pavlovich or someone like that. He's not gonna want to take on young contenders anymore. And fair play to him, I don't blame him," Aspinall continued. "He doesn't have to. He doesn't have anything to prove to anybody. The guy's done everything."

https://www.mmanews.com/news/tom-aspinall-wouldnt-blame-jon-jones-for-retiring-after-first-defense


Let's be honest, do you think Jones would have a chance against a natural and complete heavyweight like Aspinall?

I see Aspinall easily knocking out or strangling Jones.

 

[OldNick]

Fight Pavlovich or just retire. Personally don't care about the Stipe fight.

 

[Slatersan]

*beats cyril gane*

“lol yeah he doesnt want to fight the new up and coming fighters and i dont blame him”

 

[asdf122345]

Fight Stipe, Palovich, and finally Ngannou and then retire.

 

[NotoriousEagleCucuy]

Fight Pavlovich or just retire. Personally don't care about the Stipe fight.

Why is Jon even fighting Stipe? Old man hasn't fought in 2 years hasn't won in 3. Why is HE the next contender?

 

[Kryptt]

Why is HE the next contender?

Cause the UFC is contemplating the intricacies of details of matches that folks haven't even considered yet.

 

[TITS]

Who cares about Palovich, he's a nobody.

 

[Slatersan]

Who cares about Palovich, he's a nobody.

He’s literally the top mma hw contender mate

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

I mean, Tom is right. Jones has 1-2 money fights in him... and should retire on top.

 

[OneOfOne]

I agree with Aspinall but then it begs the question. Why waste everyones time and hold up the division.

 

[Mind Mine]

Aspinall bless. Jon needs to fight Stipe. After that decide if there’s a fight big enough to run one more. If not retire. Pav is a fighter that won’t move the needle even if he fought Jones and managed to win. It means very little towards Jones overall legacy. Just an awesome fight for the hardcores.

 

[Jonesisnatural]

He did literally beat the top contender of this generation to get the belt. So yeah, Aspinall is right
He's gonna wash stipe then retire.

 

[cmw43]

*beats cyril gane*

“lol yeah he doesnt want to fight the new up and coming fighters and i dont blame him”

You mean a huge money fight for the belt against a guy who'd shown against Francis he had a weak ground game?

Aspinall was pretty clear he meant that Jones would rather have a money/legacy fight against Stipe than fight more dangerous and lesser known opponents in Aspinall and Pavlovich.

 

[Mammothman]

Jones is the goat, he already dusted the #1 guy so he earned his money fight vs Miocic.

Dude fight nothing but killers.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

*beats cyril gane*

“lol yeah he doesnt want to fight the new up and coming fighters and i dont blame him”

The Ciryl Gane fight was not very risky. Jones called it right on the money – this is a mismatch. Gane is a no-grappling Stryker.

Aspinal and Pavlovich are both striker-grapplers, much more dangerous for Jon.

Good on Aspinal for rightfully recognizing Jones does not have to keep fighting young guys.

 

[FightFan87]

I disagree only for the fact that the UFC made it for the belt and he is now champion. Primes and peaks come and go. Fight the real number one and hungry contenders or vacate and take money fights. Jones made his name and accolades at light heavy don't feel he earned the right to hold up or pick and choose at heavy weight.

 

[Lee_]

Tom is right. Jones will never fight those guys. Nor should he if he wants to stay undefeated.

 

[theleerygoose]

“Let's be honest, do you think Jones would have a chance against a natural and complete heavyweight like Aspinall?“

If it’s combat i’m not betting against Jones. The guy is a born winner and a true student of the game.

 

[DatSamboKid]

Although I ultimately agree with the statement, Jon Jones is clearly on track to establish himself as the greatest mixed martial artist by a significant margin.

If he manages to surpass the record of three UFC Heavyweight title defenses, it will be a monumental achievement that no one else in the sport will be able to match.

Furthermore, his next opponents, Stipe, Pavlovich, and Tom Aspinall, are already apparent. He can finish his career with a superfight against Adesanya or Pereira for the lols.

 

[snaportap21]

He’s literally the top mma hw contender mate

Jones just beat the last top contender and he did so extremely easily. Sergei would be the same challenge. In that sense he is a nobody. Just another hw #1 contender that’s a striker.