Jon Jones is likely one of the best fighters of all time, with out query… so why has the response to his retirement not been unanimous reward?
To say Jones’ legacy is difficult could be an understatement. His in-cage accomplishments are almost unmatched: The youngest fighter ever to win a UFC title (he did it at 23 when he beat Mauricio “Shogun” Rua). Eight straight gentle heavyweight title defenses, 11 in complete. Gained a vacant heavyweight championship and efficiently defended it as soon as. By no means legitimately misplaced in 30 professional fights.
After which there are the missteps. His first title reign ended when he was stripped for a hit-and-run conviction during which he fled the scene after colliding with two different automobiles, one containing a pregnant lady. He regained the undisputed title with a spectacular head kick of Daniel Cormier, solely to have that end result overturned when he examined constructive for banned substances.
A close call against Dominick Reyes. A 3-year break from competitors. No struggle with Francis Ngannou. No struggle with Tom Aspinall. Authorized challenge upon authorized challenge, together with a home battery cost in September 2021 on the identical evening he was inducted into the UFC Corridor of Fame Combat Wing.
Once more, difficult.
Followers appear to really feel the identical manner as there have been a wide range of reactions to the information that Jones not plans to compete in MMA, not all of them reverential.
Try what the MMA Preventing group needed to say about Jones’ retirement under.