Jon Jones has been accused of ‘stringing everybody along’ in his final UFC chapter.
The former two-division UFC champion holds the second-longest title reign in heavyweight history, largely because he didn’t retire right after his final title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.
Interim titleholder Tom Aspinall waited for nearly 600 days to unify the title against Jones, only for the heavyweight champion to retire in June, relinquishing the belt without fighting him.
There’s a popular narrative that Jones ‘ducked’ Aspinall, a narrative we’ve heard about ‘Bones’ before in the light heavyweight division years ago.
Dominick Reyes comments on Jon Jones’ retirement, says he ‘ran’ from him in 2020
Dominick Reyes challenged Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title at UFC 247 in 2020, nearly taking the belt from the champion in a five-round fight many, including UFC CEO Dana White, thought Reyes had won.
But the judges wouldn’t see it that way, handing Jones the unanimous decision win, and Reyes his first pro loss.
Thinking he won the fight, Reyes pursued an immediate rematch with Jones, as did many fans; however, to no avail as Jones took three years off and moved to the heavyweight division.
Reyes was asked about Jones’ retirement on the Pound 4 Pound Podcast.
“He just strings everyone along and lies and tells this and says that,” Reyes said of Jones.
“He’s, like, smug about it, and then he’s arrogant. And then he’s not being genuine, man. We just want a genuine answer out of you, bro. Not some bullcrap, string everybody along, tell them, oh, well, maybe this…
“Are you gonna fight or not?” Reyes continued.
“I think that’s what everybody’s mad about, he’s just trying to play with all of us, bro. If you’re done, say you’re done. If you’re not done, say let’s go [or] I want more money or I want this and that’s it.
“Don’t say, we’ll see… ‘there’s a big announcement coming out’, and then it’s nothing,” Reyes added.
“People forget that too. He ran from me because he said, you’re not paying me enough to fight that guy. He’s too dangerous…”
Jon Jones is currently in drug testing pool
Even if Jones returns, it could be a while before we see ‘Bones’ back in action.
Jones has expressed interest in competing on President Donald Trump’s planned UFC White House card next year on July 4th, against whoever holds the heavyweight title at that time.
Weeks after his retirement, Jones re-entered the drug testing pool, which he needs to be eligible to fight again.
At this point, it is uncertain if the 38-year-old Jones will ever fight again. UFC CEO Dana White says he can’t risk having Jones headlining an event as big as the White House.