Jon Jones, a controversial figure in UFC history, is once again facing controversy. The argument arises from Jones retaining the UFC heavyweight championship belt despite remaining inactive for an extended period. Jones was supposed to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but a pectoral muscle injury forced the fight to be cancelled, causing anger among fans and insiders. The choice made by UFC President Dana White to allow Jones to retain his title has sparked both praise and backlash from the MMA community.
The Cancelation Heard ‘Round the World
The highly anticipated fight between Jones and Miocic was a major event that all of the MMA community was eagerly looking forward to. The cancellation of the fight because of Jones’ injury had a significant impact on the fans. The frustration was clearly felt, particularly as Jones remained inactive for an extended period. There was a growing debate about whether Jones should give up his title, as some believe that only fighters currently competing should be able to compete for the championship.
Jon Anik Voices Fan Frustration
During a recent episode of the “Anik & Florian Podcast,” UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik expressed his frustrations with the current situation. Anik sided with fans who felt that Jones should vacate his title. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that while he personally felt Jones should relinquish the belt, he understood why the UFC wouldn’t force him to do so.
“I would have loved to have seen sort of a vacation of the title by Jon Jones after the torn pec,” Anik said. “Just knowing that there was already an interim champion. But if he was not going to do that, I don’t blame the greatest of all time for not wanting to do that. The promotion wasn’t going to strip him, and that’s why we are where we’re at, an interim title defense for Tom Aspinall against Curtis Blaydes.”
Should Jon Jones have been stripped of his heavyweight title after pulling out of his fight against Stipe Miocic? pic.twitter.com/YcROMKBDQD
— Anik & Florian Podcast (@AnikFlorianPod) May 27, 2024
Kenny Florian’s Perspective
Kenny Florian, Anik’s podcast co-host, offered a slightly different take. While he agreed with Anik’s points, he also believed Jones deserved to retain the heavyweight championship title due to his long-standing contributions to the sport.
“Yes, definitely!” “If you are going to allow a champion to retain their belt in such situations, it would likely be someone like Jon Jones,” Florian remarked. He has dedicated himself to this sport for an extended period of time, striving at the highest levels of competition. He is definitely going to be remembered as a Hall of Famer, one of the greatest to ever play the game. Once more, everyone experiences their downfall and I believe that it is unjust.
Dan Hardy Weighs In
Former UFC fighter Dan Hardy also weighed in on the situation, comparing Jones to Conor McGregor. Hardy mentioned that McGregor lost his championship title due to being inactive for 511 days, implying that Jones should also experience the same outcome.
“I think Dana White should strip away his heavyweight belt,” Hardy said. “It’s about being fair across the board, regardless of a fighter’s past accomplishments or star power.”
The Interim Championship
Amidst this controversy, Tom Aspinall’s interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes is seen as a placeholder until Jones‘ return. This interim title fight underscores the urgency and necessity for an active champion in the heavyweight division. However, it has also highlighted the disappointment among fans who expected a fight for the actual championship belt.
The Road Ahead
Rumors suggest that Jones might return to the octagon to face Miocic in November 2024, a prospect that has both fans and critics watching closely. If Jones does come back and defend his title successfully, it might quell some of the criticism. However, should he falter, the debate over whether he should have vacated his title will undoubtedly resurface with even greater intensity.
Final Thoughts
The matter of Jon Jones and his reign as the UFC heavyweight champion is a multifaceted and divisive topic. It prompts inquiries about equity, the duties of a titleholder, and the management of fighter inaction. While the MMA community waits for more updates, it is evident that Jon Jones continues to be a prominent and contentious figure in the sport, stirring up strong discussions and differing views.
In the ever-changing MMA world, the choices of fighters, promoters, and organizations will always be closely examined. Currently, everyone is focused on Jon Jones and whether he will make a comeback in the octagon, a comeback that could either strengthen his reputation or lead to more demands for him to give up his title.
