Demetrious Johnson, a former UFC flyweight champion, recently voiced confusion over Jon Jones’ choice to retire from MMA without fighting Tom Aspinall. Jones announced his retirement on June 21, 2025, vacating the heavyweight title. In a YouTube video posted on June 22, 2025, Johnson expressed frustration that Jones left the sport without explaining why he sidestepped a bout with interim champion Aspinall, fueling debate about his legacy.
Johnson suggested Jones may have initially agreed to fight Aspinall but backed out, possibly by demanding an unrealistic $30 million purse, expecting the UFC to decline. This speculation adds to questions about why Jones, known for taking on tough opponents, chose to retire rather than face the young contender.
Why Jones’ Retirement Stirs Debate
Jones, regarded as one of MMA’s greatest fighters, retired with a 28-1 record, his only loss a disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009 for illegal elbows. After winning the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, Jones defended it against Stipe Miocic in November 2024. He was then expected to face Aspinall, who won the interim title in November 2023. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed on June 21, 2025, that the fight was planned for November 2025 at Madison Square Garden, but Jones withdrew at the last moment.
Johnson said, “I think Jon Jones, after he beat Stipe Miocic, I think he was totally down to fight Tom Aspinall, and I think Jon Jones asked for $30 million thinking the UFC was not going to give that to him. We’ll never hear from Jones’ mouth on why he didn’t want the Tom fight. If Jones was like, ‘Dude, I was not going to fight Tom Aspinall, he’s young, he’s athletic, he’s dangerous, I don’t want to risk my legacy.’ Perfect.”
He added, “That’s all I needed to hear. He doesn’t have to fight Tom Aspinall. But the fact that he retires, and there’s this cloud over his head where if you ask the casuals, the people who don’t follow the sport, they’re not going to know about the stripped belts, the loss to Matt Hamill.”
With Jones’ exit, Aspinall became the undisputed heavyweight champion. Johnson’s comments suggest Jones’ legacy is clouded by his decision to face Aspinall, whose athleticism and knockout power at age 32 posed a significant challenge.
Jon Jones debuted in the UFC in 2008 and became the youngest champion in UFC history at age 23, winning the light heavyweight title in 2011. He defended it eight times against top names like Daniel Cormier, Rashad Evans, and Lyoto Machida.
Jones faced multiple controversies. He was stripped of the light heavyweight title three times: in 2015 for a hit-and-run incident in Albuquerque on April 27, 2015, in 2016 for a doping violation, and in 2017 after testing positive for a banned substance following his rematch with Cormier. On February 21, 2025, he was charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly fleeing a car crash in Albuquerque, with a court date set for July 24, 2025. These issues, alongside his loss to Hamill, have long fueled discussions about his career.
Johnson’s remarks highlight the missed chance for a major Jones-Aspinall fight. Aspinall, now the undisputed champion, is likely to defend his title next, possibly against Ciryl Gane or Jailton Almeida.
