Ilia Topuria has dismissed the notion that Jon Jones retired to avoid facing Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s new undisputed heavyweight champion. Aspinall officially claimed the title following Jones’ retirement announcement on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Jones concluded his distinguished career with an undefeated record in title fights after 30 professional bouts. Known as ‘Bones,’ Jones was uninterested in a matchup with Aspinall before and after defending his last championship at UFC 309 against Stipe Miocic last November, even when offered a significant payday from the promotion.

Jones’ retirement has sparked divergent reactions within the UFC community—while many honor his extraordinary achievements, others suggest he may have avoided a potential fight with Aspinall. Ahead of his lightweight title bout at UFC 317, Topuria shared his perspective on these controversies.

Ilia Topuria Rejects Comparisons Between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev

Topuria previously accused lightweight champion Islam Makhachev of dodging him after Makhachev shifted focus to capturing a welterweight belt. Instead of facing Makhachev at UFC 317, Topuria will now fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title.

Asked whether he saw parallels between Makhachev’s avoidance and Jones’ retirement before a potential bout with Aspinall, Topuria firmly rejected the comparison.

Not at all. You can’t even compare that situation,

Topuria said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

He added,

“You can’t compare Jon Jones with Islam. Jon has done so many great things in the sport. He fought the best of the best in the last ten years. So, I don’t think he’s ducking anyone.”

According to Topuria, Jones is simply ready to step away from fighting, perhaps due to fatigue or a change in priorities. He emphasized,

“He just wants to retire. He’s tired, maybe, of the game or whatever, and he wants to retire. I don’t think he’s ducking anyone because you can find a guy always that’s [new], ‘He’s the next one [to beat Jones].’”

Topuria further noted,

Even if he beats Tom Aspinall, there’s gonna be someone new.

Discussion on How Tom Aspinall Could Influence Jon Jones’ Legacy

Though Aspinall lacks Jones’ historical achievements, some commentators warn that Jones’ legacy could be questioned if Aspinall’s reign flourishes after becoming undisputed heavyweight champion. The true impact on Jones’ standing depends heavily on Aspinall’s future success.

MMA producer Eric Jackman weighed in during The Ariel Helwani Show, observing the potential ramifications for Jones’ reputation.

Tom Aspinall has Jon Jones’ legacy in his hands,

Jackman remarked.

He explained,

“If Aspinall goes out there and becomes as great a heavyweight as I believe he can be, Jon is going to have egg on his face and this will become an indelible part of his legacy.”

Jackman continued,

He will be inextricably tied to Tom’s rise,

emphasizing the connection between Aspinall’s success and Jones’ reputation.

However, Jackman acknowledged the opposite scenario as well, noting that if Aspinall loses his upcoming bouts, Jones’ legacy would remain intact.

In fact, people will rewrite history and say Tom wasn’t equipped for it, that he wasn’t ready. And if he had fought Jon at that time, Jon probably would have won,

Jackman explained regarding the potential narrative shift following a defeat by Aspinall.

Jones’ Retirement Marks an End to an Era with Lingering Questions

Jon Jones’ departure closes a significant chapter in UFC history, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on what might have been had he faced Tom Aspinall. Ilia Topuria’s defense sheds light on the mindset of a fighter who prefers to retire on his own terms rather than out of fear.

The future of the heavyweight division now lies fully in Aspinall’s hands, whose performance as undisputed champion will shape how Jones’ legacy is ultimately viewed. Whether Aspinall will cement his place as a dominant force remains to be seen, but his rise will surely be a key storyline in UFC’s heavyweight landscape going forward.