In relation to the combat between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall within the UFC, Rashad Evans admits there’s a part of him that really hopes it by no means occurs.
Now make no mistake, the previous UFC mild heavyweight champion and UFC Corridor of Famer loves the combat, however he additionally is aware of the stakes for Jones, who’s extensively thought of the best fighter of all time with a virtually unblemished document outdoors of his lone loss, which got here by way of disqualification. When it comes to profession accomplishments, Jones primarily sits in a class all his personal.
However Evans explains why as a lot as he would like to see Jones combat Aspinall, he additionally acknowledges the potential draw back of that matchup.
“Right here’s the factor I’m type of torn about it,” Evans informed MMA Preventing. “I really feel just like the a part of me, the fan facet of me positively desires to see it. I need to see it for positive. However the different a part of me who’s like very impressed with what Jon Jones is ready to do, need to see him exit on prime and never even must [fight again].
“As a result of there’s the factor about it, there’s at all times going to be any person. He beats Tom Aspinall, folks [will say] yeah, there’s this new man. There’s at all times going to be that final dragon to conquer. A part of me can respect him for not taking the combat, however one other a part of me is rather like man, you higher step the f*ck up and beat this boy. I’m type of blended about it to be sincere.”
A part of Jones’ argument in opposition to dealing with Aspinall has largely boiled all the way down to the British heavyweight’s general resume together with comparable issues that if he wins, there’s instantly going to be one other challenger ready within the wings.
By virtually each measure potential, Jones has completed greater than sufficient to retire now and his legacy is about in stone however how a lot does that probably change if he loses?
Evans says that’s the opposite a part of his argument in opposition to the combat as a result of he is aware of age finally catches as much as everybody and Jones isn’t immune from getting older.
“Right here’s a factor that’s a positive factor — finally time will get you,” Evans mentioned. “Irrespective of who you might be, Jon has been very blessed contained in the octagon and he’s been in a position to actually stay undefeated and look good doing it regardless of his shut fights.
“However finally, you grasp in a barbershop lengthy sufficient, you’ll get a haircut. You’re going to get clipped one time. I’m on the web page of you recognize what, you probably did it. Simply sit back.”
Whereas Evans was as soon as very shut with Jones once they have been each coaching out of Greg Jackson’s gymnasium in New Mexico, he hasn’t spoken to his former teammate for fairly a while.
That’s why Evans can’t converse to Jones’ present mentality about combating or the potential finish of his profession however he is aware of it’s actually laborious for some athletes to stroll away when the game has turn out to be their total identification.
“I don’t know Jon Jones now and I don’t know if there’s part of him that wants this in a method,” Evans mentioned. “There’s generally which you can be in one thing for thus lengthy that it simply turns into a lot part of who you might be, rediscovering your self in a unique body outdoors of it’s possibly not one thing that you just’re able to discover and possibly not one thing you’re prepared to surrender.
“I don’t know Jon Jones proper now so I don’t know if that’s even a story that’s even in his concern.”
Evans can converse from private expertise about his personal profession when he determined it was time to hold up his gloves and he wasn’t positive which route he was headed with out being acknowledged for combating any longer.
It took him quite a lot of time and soul looking out to lastly stroll a unique path and now Evans is resolved in his identification each inside and outdoors the cage. Evans doesn’t know if that’s even a topic that Jones has broached whereas contemplating the potential finish of his profession.
“I went via hell,” Evans mentioned. “I went via literal hell simply rediscovering who I used to be. A variety of questioning myself, questioning my choices, reliving some painful reminiscences and choices that I made and simply quite a lot of soul looking out. Some persons are not up for that. Some folks discover it laborious to do this and so they discover themselves soothing themselves with some type of behavior that finally ends up being a deteriorating issue for them healthwise.
“I simply hope for him that he’s in a position to make that transition. As a result of the issues outdoors the octagon, they tackle a unique complexion when you find yourself not a pay-per-view star.”
