As the unification fight between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones continues to hit a dead end, fans are beginning to think this fight will never come to fruition.
Although UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that the fight will happen, a date is yet to be set, and many including UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans are starting to have mixed feelings about it.
In a sit-down with MMA Fighting, Evans says a part of him hopes his former teammate, Jones, walks away from the fight rather than risk a loss to Aspinall.
“Here’s the thing, I’m kind of torn about it,” Evans told MMA Fighting. “I feel like the part of me, the fan side of me, definitely wants to see it. I want to see it for sure. But the other part of me, who’s very impressed with what Jon Jones is able to do, wants to see him go out on top and not even have to [fight again].
“Because here’s the thing there’s always going to be somebody. He beats Tom Aspinall, people [will say] yeah, there’s this new guy. There’s always going to be that last dragon to vanquish. Part of me can respect him for not taking the fight, but another part of me is just like, man, you better step the f*ck up and beat this boy. I’m kind of mixed about it, to be honest.”
Despite Jones’ pound-for-pound record, Evans believes the champ is not immune to age and might find it difficult to keep up in the octagon. He admits that being in the cage for too long affects fighters and hinders them from knowing when to quit.
“Here’s a thing that’s a sure thing eventually, time will get you,” Evans said. “No matter who you are. Jon has been very blessed inside the octagon, and he’s been able to really remain undefeated and look good doing it despite his close fights. But eventually, you hang in a barbershop long enough, you will get a haircut. You’re going to get clipped one time. I’m on the page of, you know what, you did it. Just chill out.”
“I don’t know Jon Jones now, and I don’t know if there’s a part of him that needs this in a way,” Evans said. “There are times when you can be in something for so long that it just becomes so much a part of who you are, and rediscovering yourself in a different frame outside of it is maybe not something you’re ready to explore—or maybe not something you’re ready to give up.
“I don’t know Jon Jones right now, so I don’t know if that’s even a narrative that’s in his concern.”
Fight or not, there’s no denying that the heavyweight champ has left a legacy in the sport and is guaranteed a Hall of Fame spot. However, Evans is concerned that if Jones fights and wins, there will be a lineup of other contenders, and this might hinder his retirement. He uses his own career and retirement as a point of reference for Jones.
Evans revealed that his entire identity was built around his career, and when he hung up his gloves, it took some soul-searching to finally come to terms with it. He doesn’t believe Jones has mentally come to terms with retirement yet and says that may be what’s holding the champ back from giving up the spotlight.
“I went through hell,” Evans said. “I went through literal hell just rediscovering who I was. A lot of questioning myself, questioning my decisions, reliving some painful memories and decisions that I made, and just a lot of soul-searching. Some people are not up for that. Some people find it hard to do that, and they find themselves soothing themselves with some kind of habit that ends up being a deteriorating factor for them healthwise.
“I just hope for him that he’s able to make that transition. Because the problems outside the octagon take on a different complexion when you are no longer a pay-per-view star.”
For now, it is yet to be announced when Jones vs. Aspinall will occur, but fans are hopeful to see their champ and interim champ face off in the octagon.
