Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

Jon Jones is anticipated to face Stipe Miocic earlier than the tip of 2024, with Dana White not too long ago stating that the winner will step into the Octagon towards Tom Aspinall to unify the UFC heavyweight championship.

Jones has been out of motion since successful the heavyweight title towards Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Though Aspinall has received and defended the interim title, “Bones” continues to be the official champion and holds a strong #3 rating within the pound-for-pound record.

“Bones” has repeatedly talked about contemplating retirement after the Miocic combat as properly. One former UFC champ, nevertheless, thinks this transfer may very well be detrimental to his legacy…

Michael Bisping Claims Jon Jones Would Lose Followers If He Retires With out Combating Tom Aspinall

Michael Bisping not too long ago mentioned the way forward for the UFC heavyweight division on his official YouTube channel. The winner of Jones vs. Miocic is anticipated to face Aspinall subsequent, and early odds favor the interim champ.

“The Rely” claimed that regardless of his GOAT standing as a lightweight heavyweight, Jones’ inactivity at heavyweight makes him an underdog towards Aspinall. However the former UFC middleweight kingpin additionally highlighted that his opponent’s lack of preventing expertise may benefit Jones, who boasts a report 15 UFC title wins.

“He hasn’t received the in-ring time, he hasn’t received the expertise, the combat IQ of a Jon Jones.”

Bisping’s different concern is relating to Jones’ will to combat after the Miocic combat. The choice is basically depending on his efficiency, and within the eyes of “The Rely,” retiring with out unifying the heavyweight title wouldn’t sit properly with a number of followers.

Jones vs. Aspinall has been a extremely anticipated combat for over a yr now. Whereas the Brit has been respectfully ready for the chance, many assume that “Bones” is avoiding the Aspinall combat as a result of greater threat of dropping.

Bisping believes such narratives will solely get stronger if the UFC heavyweight champion retires after his subsequent scheduled combat.

“It might suck. Not solely would it not suck, however it will even be not the very best transfer for Jon Jones by way of fan appreciation. The narrative would all the time be that he was ducking Tom Aspinall.”