Did Jon Jones Retire At The Right Time?

Jon Jones retired from the UFC without fighting Tom Aspinall, but did he make the right decision? 

Jones retired after stopping Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, which followed his submission win over Ciryl Gane. Despite calls for him to face Aspinall, Jones retired, as fans missed out on another mega fight as they had experienced with Francis Ngannou. However, Jones has achieved what most fighters never will, with many calling him the greatest of all time. 

“Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection. I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years. From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport.

“Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever,” Jones said

Accomplishments

Jones has won titles in two weight classes, picking up belts at light heavyweight and heavyweight. He first secured the light heavyweight belt in 2011 before reclaiming it in 2018. He then won the heavyweight title in 2023 with the Gane win, putting him in the category of very few fighters who are multiple-weight champions such as GSP and Alex Pereira.

Jones is also the youngest UFC champion ever at 23 when he defeated Maurício Rua for the light heavyweight belt. He made the most defenses at the weight classes, doing so 11 times. Jones also has the most title wins in the UFC, which stands at 16. The heavyweight also has the longest reign as P4P number one, with reports it stands at 1743 days.

His resume also includes wins against the biggest names, such as Maurício “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Alexander Gustafsson (twice), and Daniel Cormier. Rashad Evans believes Jones made the right decision. 

“I think it was a smart move. The fight with Tom Aspinall was a very interesting fight, but he’s at the point in the game where he’s done it all. He’s achieved the achievable. It would be great for us fans to see it. But, at the end of the day, what does it really do for him to fight Tom Aspinall? No slight against Tom, it’s just another opponent. His legacy outweighs that,” Evans