UFC President Dana White has come forward to defend legendary fighter Jon Jones amid ongoing speculation that he has ducked a potential fight with rising star Tom Aspinall. The discussions for a unification bout between these two heavyweight champions have been a hot topic throughout the year, but Jones has consistently distanced himself from the matchup. This culminated in his announcement of retirement last Saturday, a decision that led to Aspinall being elevated to undisputed champion status. Consequently, some fans have labeled Jones as a ‘duck’ for avoiding the fight.
During a recent press conference for the highly anticipated boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, White addressed the media, including Bloody Elbow, to clarify his stance on the matter. He firmly stated that the only instance in which Jones has ever ducked a fight was back in September 2012 when he refused to face Chael Sonnen on short notice. This refusal ultimately led to UFC 151 being canceled, marking a significant moment in UFC history.
When asked if Jones had ducked the fight with Aspinall by choosing to retire, White replied, “No. Jon Jones, I’ve said it a million times, I’ll say it again, he’s never ducked anybody. Other than that one goofy time with the Chael Sonnen thing. Never ducked anybody.” This statement emphasizes White's unwavering support for Jones and his legacy in the sport.
Days before his retirement announcement, Jon Jones reflected on his tumultuous relationship with Dana White, particularly focusing on the fallout from UFC 151. He recounted how his refusal to fight Chael Sonnen angered White, stating, “Man, he just didn’t see the logic in it.” Jones emphasized the difficulty of making fight decisions from the outside, saying, “When you’re not the one in there creating the art, then it’s easy to say how it is to create the art.”
He further added, “I respect the process, and I have to show respect in the way that I do things. Yeah, that p—ed him off though.” This admission highlights the complexities of being a fighter at the highest level and the pressures that come with decision-making in the UFC.
As the debate surrounding Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall continues, Dana White's remarks serve to reaffirm Jones's standing in the sport. While fans may have their opinions, White's insights shed light on the intricacies of fight negotiations and the personal dynamics involved. With Jones now retired and Aspinall crowned as the undisputed champion, the future of the heavyweight division remains uncertain but undoubtedly exciting.
