Jon Jones`s recent retirement has left many fans, including ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, wanting more from the acclaimed fighter.
Speaking on his show First Take, Smith praised “Bones” for his significant accomplishments and undeniable talent. However, he also offered sharp criticism, specifically for Jones`s decision to retire without facing the fighter many believed he was destined to fight: the now-undisputed heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall.
The potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall matchup will likely remain one of MMA`s great unanswered questions following Jones`s retirement at age 37. The two heavyweight stars seemed on a collision course after Jones won the vacant title at UFC 285 and Aspinall secured an interim belt at UFC 295, with both successfully defending their championships. Despite this, Jones consistently dismissed the idea of a unification bout, citing a lack of interest in Aspinall and claiming he wasn`t a worthy opponent.
Smith openly disagreed with Jones stepping away from the sport without settling the score against the clear number one contender in the division.
“I’m not going to accuse the greatest mixed martial artist I have ever seen in my life, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, I have that much admiration for him or whatever,” Smith stated. “Having said that, I’m incredibly, incredibly disappointed with this news.”
Addressing Jon Jones directly, Smith added, “Here’s what I want to say to Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. He’s absolutely phenomenal. He’s the real deal. He’s one of those dudes that a guy like Aspinall—he’s been on the record saying [Aspinall] just irritates me, annoys me, he doesn’t even want to be asked about Tom Aspinall during interviews—well, now with your retirement, Aspinall is the undisputed heavyweight champion. My point is if you are a fighter, which he is at a very elite level, and that’s the fight that people want to see, give us the fight that we want to see.”
Most frustrating for Smith is the belief that this highly anticipated heavyweight championship fight was seemingly easy for the UFC to make. By most accounts, the responsibility for the fight not happening lies solely with Jones. Smith questions why Jones couldn`t find the motivation for one final challenge against a top rival.
“What do we complain about with boxing?” Smith asked, drawing a comparison. “We complain about promoters and others getting in the way of getting us the fights that we want to see when we want to see it. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is literally this kind of person. If you get on his nerves, one of two things will happen: He’ll want to kick your ass… or he’ll say, ‘The hell with you. I’m not going to give you the privilege of fighting me,’ because that fighter annoys him as opposed to looking at the audience out here spanning millions and millions of people, who recognize your greatness and want to see you against this guy who’s been calling you out for the longest time.”
Smith’s message to Jones is clear: “Handle it. Handle it, then retire if you want to, but don’t retire because guess what, there’s not really a fight out there that you’re interested in. This guy irritates you so the hell with it, I’m not going to give him the privilege to fight me. It ain’t about that. That audience out there who loves you, who recognizes your unquestionable greatness, we want to see you handle this guy.”
Although all parties appear to be moving forward—especially with Jones dealing with more significant legal issues—Smith still believes UFC President Dana White would be open to arranging a bout between Jones and Aspinall.
“Dana White would make that fight tomorrow if Jon ‘Bones’ Jones wants to do it,” Smith asserted. “We want to see it, so I’m disappointed to hear this news, because Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is just too great.”
