Regarding a potential fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall in the UFC, Rashad Evans admits there’s a part of him that surprisingly hopes it never takes place.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer clarifies that while he finds the potential matchup appealing as a fan, he is acutely aware of the high stakes involved for Jones. Jones is widely considered the greatest fighter of all time, boasting a nearly flawless record with his only official loss being a disqualification. His career accomplishments place him in a league of his own.
Evans explains his reasoning for this internal conflict, outlining why, despite his personal desire to see the bout, he recognizes the potential negative consequences for Jones.
“Here’s my dilemma,” Evans stated. “The fan in me definitely wants to witness it. I truly want to see it. But the other part of me, which is incredibly impressed by Jon Jones`s achievements, wants to see him retire at the absolute peak and not have to compete again.
“The reality is, there will always be someone else. If he defeats Tom Aspinall, people will immediately point to a new rising star. There’s perpetually a `last dragon` to be conquered. A part of me could respect him for choosing not to take the fight, yet another part urges him to step up and overcome this challenge. Honestly, I`m quite divided on it.”
Jones himself has reportedly argued against facing Aspinall, partly citing the British heavyweight’s overall resume compared to his own, along with the understanding that winning would simply lead to another challenger emerging immediately afterward.
By nearly any metric, Jones has accomplished more than enough to retire right now, his legacy already cemented. But Evans contemplates how much that could potentially change if he were to suffer a loss.
Evans states that this potential impact on Jones’s legacy is another significant factor in his reservations about the fight, acknowledging that age eventually affects everyone, and Jones is not immune to the passage of time.
“One absolute certainty is that time eventually catches up,” Evans remarked. “No matter who you are, Jon has been exceptionally fortunate in the octagon, managing to remain undefeated and look good doing so, despite some close contests.
“But eventually, if you stay in the game long enough, you will get clipped at some point. I lean towards the idea that he’s done it all. He should just relax.”
While Evans and Jones were once closely connected, training together at Greg Jackson’s gym in New Mexico, Evans hasn`t spoken to his former teammate in quite some time.
For this reason, Evans cannot speak directly to Jones’s current state of mind regarding fighting or a potential retirement, but he understands the profound difficulty athletes face when their sport becomes their entire identity.
“I don’t know Jon Jones as he is now, and I can`t tell if there’s an element of him that needs this challenge,” Evans speculated. “Sometimes, when you’ve been involved in something for so long that it becomes fundamental to who you are, redefining yourself outside of it might not be something you’re prepared to explore or relinquish.
“I don’t know the current Jon Jones, so I can’t say if that`s even a concern he`s considering.”
Drawing from his own experience, Evans discussed his decision to retire and the uncertainty he felt about his future direction without the recognition tied to fighting.
It took significant time and introspection for him to find a different path, and he now feels secure in his identity both inside and outside the cage. Evans is unsure if Jones has contemplated this aspect of life post-fighting.
“I went through hell,” Evans confessed. “Literal hell just rediscovering who I was. It involved a lot of self-questioning, scrutinizing my decisions, reliving some painful memories, and deep soul-searching. Some people aren`t equipped for that. Some find it incredibly difficult and resort to habits that end up being detrimental to their health.”
He concluded, “I just hope for his sake that he can navigate that transition successfully. Because the challenges outside the octagon take on a very different character when you are no longer a pay-per-view superstar.”
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely