UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has retired from MMA after nearly 600 days of waiting for his title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall. The move has sparked widespread criticism, including from sports personality Stephen A. Smith. In an interview on ESPN’s First Take, Smith expressed disappointment with Jones’ decision, citing that he is “the real deal” and should have handled the situation by fighting Aspinall.
Jones kept Aspinall waiting for months before opting to fight 42-year-old Stipe Miocic instead. This decision has led many to accuse Jones of being a “ducker,” and Smith agrees. The sports personality believes that Jones’ reluctance to face Aspinall is unfair, given the British star’s repeated calls for a fight.
Smith notes that fighters should give their fans what they want, particularly in situations where there are clear opportunities for exciting matchups. He argues that Jones’ behavior is similar to that of boxers who complain about promoters and other obstacles getting in the way of fights.
The issue boils down to this: Jones has been criticized for not wanting to face Aspinall due to his irritation with the British star’s constant calls for a fight. However, Smith points out that Jones should have handled the situation by fighting Aspinall, rather than opting to retire and leaving the title unification bout unfulfilled.
The fallout from Jones’ retirement decision will likely be felt throughout the UFC heavyweight division, with many fans left wondering what could have been in terms of a historic matchup between Jones and Aspinall.
Source: https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/06/23/stephen-a-smith-incredibly-disappointed-by-jon-jones-ufc-retirement-handle-this-guy