Jon Jones Doubles Down on Retirement Talk: 'I’m Not Defined by One Fight'

Jones hasn’t fought winning the heavyweight title with a submission win against Ciryl Gane on his return to action after three years at UFC 285 in March 2023. The former light heavyweight champ remains intent on defending his title against Stipe Miocic, a fight that was canceled at UFC 295 after Jones suffered a pectoral injury. That bout has been rumored for UFC 309 in November, although the matchup is yet to be officially announced. Jones has repeatedly hinted at retirement following the Miocic matchup, much to the ire of interim champ Tom Aspinall, who has long been rallying for a title unifier.

Jones recently doubled down on his plans to retire unless the UFC makes him an offer he can’t refuse. A fan recently asked Jones’ opinion on footage of Aspinall wrestling retired rugby player Ugo Monye. Apparently unimpressed by Aspinall, Jones said he remains focused on Miocic, who was a NCAA Division I wrestler at Cleveland State University.

“Looks like Tom displaying that amazing UK wrestling,” Jones wrote on X. “My focus is on Stipe, he actually wrestled [Division I]. Best heavyweight of all time as of right now. Maybe Tom will go on and beat Stipe’s record one day. Right now I’m focusing on GOAT things.”

Jones then continued to downplay a potential matchup against Aspinall, which he claims has never been offered to him. “Bones” repeatedly defended his retirement plans, claiming his already cemented legacy won’t be altered if he doesn’t take one “random” fight. According to Jones, he should ideally fight Miocic and ride off into the sunset.

Whenever fans accused Jones of ducking Aspinall, “Bones” laughed it off as them begging him to return because the heavyweight division isn’t interesting without him. And Jones is keeping the door open for that, if the UFC comes up with an extraordinary offer.

Aspinall has been taking numerous shots at Jones and most recently posted a skit mocking the champ. Responding to Jones’ latest tweets, Aspinall wonders whether it was the skit or his skills that influenced the retirement plans. Aspinall asked Jones to pass him the title if he beats Miocic, whom the Brit now refers to as Joe Biden.“Wonder if it was that video or my fighting that retired him?” Miocic wrote on his Instagram stories. “Please make sure you pass me the belt on the way out of the Octagon if you beat Biden.”

Reference: https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jon-Jones-Doubles-Down-on-Retirement-Talk-Im-Not-Defined-by-One-Fight-194713