Sports personality Stephen A. Smith is strongly reacting to Jon Jones` decision not to face Tom Aspinall.
The UFC Heavyweight Champion, widely considered among the greatest fighters ever, announced his retirement from MMA on Saturday. This decision meant avoiding a highly anticipated title unification fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Jon Jones had kept Aspinall waiting for almost 600 days before ultimately retiring. His only title defense was against the 42-year-old Stipe Miocic, not Aspinall.
Following his retirement announcement, Jones has faced significant criticism, with some accusing him of avoiding the new undisputed champion, Aspinall.
Stephen A. Smith Disappointed by Jon Jones` UFC Retirement
Known for his strong opinions, sports commentator Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on Jones retiring without unifying the title against Aspinall in what was expected to be one of the biggest fights in UFC history.
“I`m not going to accuse the greatest mixed martial artist I`ve ever seen in my life in Jon `Bones` Jones,” Smith said of the retired UFC champion on ESPN’s First Take.
“I have that much admiration for him… Having said that, I`m incredibly, incredibly disappointed with this news,” Smith stated regarding Jones` retirement decision.
“[Jones] is absolutely phenomenal. He`s the real deal. He`s one of those guys who, when it comes to someone like Aspinall, has openly said Aspinall just irritates and annoys him. He doesn`t even want questions about Tom Aspinall during interviews.”
“Well, now that you`ve retired, Aspinall is the undisputed heavyweight champion.”
Smith continued:
“My point is, if you are a fighter, which he is at a very elite level, and that`s the fight people want to see, then give us the fight we want to see.”
Stephen A. Smith Urges Jon Jones: `We Want to See You Handle This Guy!`
At 37, Jones retires from the UFC following 30 professional MMA bouts, leaving behind a potential fight with Aspinall that many believed could have been the biggest heavyweight clash ever.
Despite earlier assurances that the fight would occur, UFC CEO Dana White stated he attempted everything possible to persuade Jones, but ultimately without success.
Although Jones doesn`t appear to be Aspinall`s biggest admirer, Smith believes his refusal to fight the British star was a mistake.
“What do we complain about when it comes to boxing?” Smith elaborated.
“We complain about promoters and others preventing us from seeing the fights we want, when we want them. And Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is literally this type of person.”
“If someone gets on his nerves, one of two things happens. Either he wants to kick their ass, which he’s absolutely capable of doing at an elite level, or he’ll say `to hell with you.` He won’t grant you the privilege of fighting him simply because that fighter annoyed him.”
“Instead of considering the audience of millions who recognize his greatness and want to see him face this guy who’s been calling him out for a long time, he acts this way. Handle the fight. Then retire if you wish…”
“But don`t retire because there isn`t a fight out there you`re interested in.”
Smith commented on Jones` motivation: “This guy irritates you, so `to hell with it.`” This is why Jones should fight Aspinall.
“‘I’m not gonna give him the privilege to fight me…’ That`s not what it`s about. The audience who loves you, who acknowledges your unquestionable greatness, we want to see you handle this guy!”
