Despite facing significant criticism that he was avoiding a showdown with Tom Aspinall, UFC veteran Matt Brown doesn`t believe Jon Jones` retirement was motivated by fear.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown drew on his own experience, stating that time typically makes fans forget controversies. He predicts this will be the case for Jones; his extensive career achievements will overshadow any current narrative around his retirement.
According to Brown, Jones is smart enough to know that in a year or two, the discussion will shift, the heavyweight division will move forward, and his status as arguably the greatest fighter ever will remain intact. Brown imagines Jones` mindset being one of defiance, confident that critics` opinions are temporary.
Brown suggests that if anyone is truly disadvantaged by Jones waiting seven months after his win over Stipe Miocic before retiring, it`s Tom Aspinall.
Although Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion, his options for high-profile, challenging opponents appear limited. He missed the chance to fight a legendary figure like Jones and now faces potential matchups where he is expected to be a heavy favorite.
Following Jones` departure, odds makers list Aspinall as a clear favorite, for example, against Ciryl Gane. Brown points out that Jones quickly defeated Gane in his heavyweight debut, a fact that will likely be brought up if Aspinall`s first title defense is against Gane.
Brown speculates, perhaps facetiously, that Jones might have intended to disrupt Aspinall`s rise, calling Aspinall “the biggest loser” in this scenario. He highlights the lack of compelling contenders like Gane (already beaten decisively by Jones) or Jailton Almeida (who lost to Curtis Blaydes), feeling the heavyweight division lacks depth currently.
Brown contrasts the end of Jones` light heavyweight run, which he found less captivating with fights against Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes (both argued as close losses), with the beginning. At the start of his light heavyweight career, Jones had a long line of top contenders he systematically defeated.
Jones` move to heavyweight and subsequent title win was a positive capstone to his career.
However, Aspinall doesn`t have this same pool of established, challenging opponents available in today`s heavyweight landscape, which Brown feels is lacking both depth and rising talent.
Brown argues that Jones “ruined” the light heavyweight division by defeating all the legendary figures. He believes Aspinall is starting his championship reign facing opponents who generate less excitement, noting that the heavyweight division, which should be the most thrilling, currently isn`t.
He compares the current lack of depth in the heavyweight division to some women`s divisions, where only a couple of fighters are seen as true contenders. Brown finds the situation difficult for the UFC and jokingly suggests they might need to consider extreme measures like bringing back Brock Lesnar.
Despite the current state of the division, Aspinall can still build an impressive legacy through title defenses, but the level of competition he faces will factor into how those defenses are viewed.
Brown cites Demetrious Johnson as an example; despite numerous title defenses, he is sometimes ranked lower on all-time lists because his flyweight division wasn`t considered as deep as divisions like Jones` light heavyweight or Georges St-Pierre`s welterweight.
While Jones might face short-term criticism for not fighting Aspinall, Brown believes Jones primarily denied Aspinall the significant opportunity to solidify his own legacy by defeating arguably the toughest possible opponent in a heavyweight division that currently lacks star power.
Brown concludes that Jones likely retired because he is financially secure and enjoys his lifestyle, not out of fear of Aspinall, though he acknowledges Aspinall would have presented a tough challenge. He believes Jones simply sees no reason to fight when he can enjoy his wealth and party.
