During the UFC on ABC 8 post-fight press conference Dana White dropped a bombshell announcing that Jon Jones had informed him that he was retired. As a result, he ceded the UFC Heavyweight Champion and interim champ Tom Aspinall was made the official heavyweight champion.
The news comes as a surprise as many fans were stirring for his return. Fans of Aspinall bombarded social media with ducks in reference to the belief that Jones was ducking a fight with Aspinall. Well, Jones’ abrupt retirement may give evidence to those believing that the former champ was not willing to engage with Aspinall.
White touted Jones the goat and while he had much success in the Octagon, his career was plagued by injury and out of the Octagon legal issues. Jones was found to have failed a USADA drug test, had a fight with Daniel Cormier at a face off, fled the scene where his car ran into another car with a pregnant lady, security was called to his hotel room due to allegations of domestic violence and he was involved in an altercation with USADA testers at his home
There does not seem to be an issue or injury which has caused Jones to retire and I’m sure we’ll hear more about his decision in the days to come. Jones’ career will be riddled with ‘what-ifs’ assuming he does stay retired. And, as we know in combat sports retirement usually does not stick.
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