6 months after UFC legend Jon Jones returned to the UFC to defend his heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic at UFC 3039, the chances of a box office bout with interim UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall are now looking slimmer than ever as Jones says he has no interest in a return to fighting anytime soon, and seems to be rubbing fans the wrong way as many label him as ‘Overprotected’.
Jones who has fought only three times in the last five years currently faces a lot of backlash across social media as many believe he is ‘ducking’ the fight everyone wants to see against Aspinall, and many believe he is disrespecting the sport, and being too stubborn to defend his title.
The 37 year old has been shutting down questions surrounding a fight with Aspinall for months, even ignoring messages from Aspinall himself, but has now spoken on his potential return to the octagon. “When the itch comes back, and if it comes back, then I’ll do it with my whole heart” said Jones when asked about his future in mixed martial arts and especially the UFC, wrestling fans calling for his protection and even title to be stripped.
Although many see Jones as the poster boy of the UFC, and a household name across the MMA world, his title defenses have not been as consistent as fans may have liked, and with the perfect opportunity to face arguably the best fighter in his division to finally settle the debate, fans believe Jones is still making excuses, and with no real effort or desires for a serious return, fans strongly believe he isn't worthy of the title.
Over the years it isn't a secret that Jones has often been protected by Dana White, and is too valuable of a fighter and a money maker for him to disregard or sanction him, but with his open comments about no certain return, it seems the protection over him is now too strong, and the right thing to do is strip his belt. It wont go down well with some, but with such little effort and respect for the title and his opponents, it seems Jones is heading down the wrong path, and is upsetting the UFC world.
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