Daniel Cormier is shocked that Jon Jones walked away from combating with out combating Tom Aspinall.
On Saturday following UFC Baku, Dana White revealed that Jones was formally retiring as a fighter, and as UFC heavyweight champion, and that Tom Aspinall can be promoted from interim champion, to undisputed champ.
Whereas the world wished Jones vs. Aspinall, and Dana White “one hundred pc” assured it on a number of events, Jones known as it a profession as an alternative. Cormier, Jones’ most legendary rival, gave his ideas on his YouTube channel.
“I stated… if Jon Jones doesn’t battle Tom Aspinall, he stop,” Cormier stated. “As a result of he’ll stroll away from one thing that has outlined his complete grownup life. …
“[Fighting] saved him, it allowed for him to construct an awesome life. And actually, I’m not mad that this younger man has a life together with his household, they usually obtained cash, they usually obtained all these nice issues, but it surely doesn’t change the truth that by not stepping in that octagon, he stop. He didn’t wish to battle Tom Aspinall. It’s so stunning.”
Jones solely competed twice since his controversial gentle heavyweight title protection over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020, which turned out to be the ultimate divisional bout for the all-time nice.
Over three years later, “Bones” returned at heavyweight to seize the vacant title towards Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Almost two years later, Jones returned to the octagon after overcoming a slew of accidents to destroy Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
The issue was a yr prior, the UFC made an interim title battle between Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich, which Aspinall gained with relative ease. Aspinall went on to obliterate Curtis Blaydes in a minute at UFC 304 a yr in the past, and since then, all consideration from the fanbase and each pundit within the sport went to a Jones vs. Aspinall showdown.
In keeping with Cormier — and the overwhelming majority of UFC followers and media — the one one that didn’t need that battle was Jones himself. “DC” goes as far as to say that if Aspinall is out of the championship equation, even within the quick time period, Jones would possibly battle once more.
“He doesn’t wish to battle Tom,” Cormier stated. “I actually really feel like if Tom loses, he would come again. And that’s loopy to me, as a result of that’s solely going to make it worse.”
Ever since Jones started no-selling Aspinall as a non-worthy adversary, followers grew to become irritated, claiming Jones was “ducking” Aspinall. Even a petition with round 200,000 signatures was signed to have the UFC strip Jones of the heavyweight title.
Jones walks away as arguably the best to ever do it, however Cormier understands why Jones’ legacy may very well be questioned for years to come back.
“Is he scared? No, however by not combating Aspinall, he opened the dialog,” Cormier defined. “He allows you to, each one in every of you query why he doesn’t battle him.”
