Jon Jones, one of MMA’s greatest, has retired, and Joe Rogan is pulling no punches. On his June 2025 “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast with Cory Sandhagen, Rogan unpacked why Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, chose to walk away instead of facing interim champion Tom Aspinall.
“Jon Jones said he needed six months to prepare for Aspinall,” Rogan said. “They were trying to make a deal and then he decided to retire.”
Jones’ departure, confirmed by UFC president Dana White on June 21, 2025, stunned fans, and Rogan’s insight adds fuel to the fire.
Rogan went deep on Jones’ habits.
“But it’s six months because he’s not training, like, at all. He just doesn’t train. In between fights, he just doesn’t train,” he said, stunned by Jones’ approach. “I think Jon is just so fing talented that he could pull that off. That’s the outlier. It’s like, he was just so good. He was so good. He could do it. He could party and still f guys up.”
Rogan’s Deep Dive on Jones’ Decision
Jones opted out of a unification bout with Aspinall, citing a need for six months to prepare, per Rogan. Instead, at 37, he retired, leaving his heavyweight title to Aspinall. Rogan believes Jones misread Aspinall’s appeal, noting:
“I think he’s wrong because Aspinall is a star. Casuals on the street ask, ‘Is Jon Jones going to fight Tom Aspinall?’” Jones’ lifestyle played a role, Rogan said. “He was a wild dude. He didn’t give a f*** and had ultimate confidence. So skillful and so smart.”
Legal troubles, including an alleged February 2025 hit-and-run, may have factored in. Rogan suggested the years of partying took a toll, limiting Jones’ ability to keep up despite his brilliance. The unbooked Aspinall fight remains a sore spot for fans.
But Rogan cautioned:
“But eventually, [more drug usage], one more drink, one more [this], one more [that], and then your bodies just not what it used to be.”
Jones’ Historic MMA Career
Jones’ resume is unmatched. Starting in the UFC in 2008, he went 28-1 with one no-contest, holding the light heavyweight title from 2011 to 2015 and 2018 to 2020. He set a UFC record with 16 title fight wins, defeating Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Rashad Evans. In 2023, he moved to heavyweight, submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to claim the title, then TKO’d Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024.
Outside the octagon, Jones faced challenges—2015 hit-and-run, DUI arrests, and a 2016 drug test violation that sidelined him for a year. Yet his skill was undeniable. He retired as heavyweight champion, but fighters like Demetrious Johnson argued he should’ve fought Aspinall to solidify his legacy.
The MMA community is split. Some hail Jones as the GOAT with his great UFC record. Others, like Israel Adesanya, believe he avoided Aspinall amid legal issues. Dana White praised Aspinall, saying, “Tom’s been incredible through this whole process. He’s willing to fight anybody.” Claressa Shields and Chael Sonnen expressed respect for Jones’ greatness but called his exit underwhelming on Instagram. Rogan pushed for a Jones vs. Francis Ngannou dream fight, but White ruled out Ngannou’s return.
Rogan’s perspective highlights a fighter who thrived on chaos but may have been slowed by time.
Tom Aspinall, 15-3, is now the undisputed heavyweight champion. The division moves forward, but Jones’ absence leaves a void. His decision to retire rather than face Aspinall feels like an unfinished story.
