Jon Jones has officially retired from the UFC, vacating his heavyweight championship, as confirmed by Dana White last weekend. Throughout nearly twenty years in the octagon, Jones built a reputation as a dominant figure while simultaneously drawing criticism for missing out on several high-profile matchups that fans eagerly anticipated.
Recognized as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, Jones’ career was marked by both impressive victories and controversial decisions that left many wondering what could have been in some key fights.
Jones’ Career-Defining Choices and Controversies
During his lengthy UFC career, Jon Jones faced many top contenders but repeatedly missed opportunities to fight other marquee names. His legacy is complicated by charges that he avoided certain fights or sabotaged his chances, contributing to a polarizing image among fans and analysts alike.
The most notable fights Jon Jones missed have become points of frustration, casting a shadow over what would otherwise be a near-unmatched fighting career.
1. The Elusive Heavyweight Bout Against Francis Ngannou
Following a disputed title defense over Dominick Reyes in early 2020, many believed a rematch was in order before the pandemic paused plans. Later that year, Jones stepped away from the light-heavyweight title and expressed interest in moving to heavyweight, with Francis Ngannou—the division’s powerhouse contender—emerging as a prime opponent.
At the time, Ngannou had just missed winning the heavyweight title but returned with multiple knockout wins, establishing himself as the division’s most feared striker. Efforts to arrange a bout between Ngannou and Jones were met with complications, with reports emerging that Jones demanded payment comparable to boxing star Deontay Wilder, which Dana White cited as a stumbling block. Jones disputed the claims but confirmed a conflict over compensation.
The matchup was shelved, especially after Ngannou claimed the heavyweight title in 2021 and eventually left the UFC. Surprisingly, Jones agreed to return to fight for the vacant title in early 2023 only after Ngannou’s departure, defeating Ciryl Gane. This sequence of events has left many convinced Jones avoided facing Ngannou directly.
2. The Cancelled Clash with Dan Henderson
Back in 2012, when Jones had mostly swept through the light-heavyweight division, there was growing interest in a fight against Dan Henderson, a former PRIDE champion and elite competitor. Henderson’s victory over Shogun Rua led to an anticipated battle, but a serious knee injury forced Henderson to withdraw just weeks before the scheduled fight.
Complicating matters further, Jones refused a short-notice fight against Chael Sonnen, intensifying the rivalry between the two but leaving Henderson sidelined. Henderson’s subsequent losses in 2013 ended his chances to challenge Jones again, denying fans a long-expected showdown. The two only met once more in a 2016 grappling match, where Jones won by submission.
3. The Cancelled Duel with Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson
Anthony Johnson’s rise to light heavyweight in 2014 rekindled hopes for a high-stakes showdown with Jones. Johnson quickly demolished contenders and earned a title shot set for UFC 187 in 2015. Yet, a month before the fight, Jones was arrested following a hit-and-run incident, leading to the UFC stripping him of the belt and suspending him indefinitely.
As a result, Johnson fought Daniel Cormier for the vacant title but was defeated by submission in the third round. Johnson recovered with a winning streak that granted him another title shot, but Jones’ suspensions prevented the much-anticipated bout from happening. Johnson retired after another loss to Cormier, leaving fans to wonder what might have happened if he and Jones had met in the cage.
4. The Never-Realized Fantasy Fight With Brock Lesnar
The speculation around a fight between Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar captured fans’ imaginations for years. Lesnar was a dominant UFC heavyweight champion in the late 2000s and early 2010s, while Jones was a rising star in the light-heavyweight division. However, timing and circumstances never aligned for the bout to materialize.
Lesnar stepped away from the UFC for WWE and only briefly returned in 2016 for a single fight. When Jones reclaimed the light-heavyweight title in 2017, he publicly challenged Lesnar, taunting him about being beaten by a lighter opponent. Rumors circulated that Lesnar might respond, but Jones’ suspension following a positive drug test derailed the possibility. Lesnar’s UFC return never happened, and with both fighters now retired, this matchup remains a lost opportunity forever.
5. The Unfulfilled Heavyweight Title Unification Fight With Tom Aspinall
Perhaps the biggest missed fight of Jones’ later career was the prospective heavyweight title unification bout against Tom Aspinall, who captured the interim belt in November 2023. Fans eagerly anticipated a clash planned for 2025, but Jones’ recent retirement and Aspinall’s status as undisputed champion made it impossible.
Jones expressed tentative interest in fighting Aspinall but focused instead on a 2024 fight against Stipe Miocic, claiming it would better bolster his legacy. He even called out then-light-heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira rather than the British contender, sparking accusations of dodging Aspinall. The fight’s absence remains a sore point, as a win for Aspinall could have been career-defining, while a victory over Jones would have added little to the latter’s established record.
The drawn-out negotiations and Jones’ reluctance to fully commit only increased fans’ frustration, with many feeling that he stretched out his career unnecessarily after the Miocic bout instead of retiring earlier.
Legacy Tainted by Missed Showdowns and What Lies Ahead
Jon Jones leaves behind a complex legacy in the UFC: one of undeniable talent, championship success, and memorable battles, but also clouded by numerous missed fights and controversies that stirred debate. Despite his dominance, questions surrounding his willingness to face certain opponents will follow him into retirement.
With Jones stepping away from the sport, fans and analysts alike are left reflecting on what could have been, especially regarding the high-profile fights against Ngannou, Aspinall, Johnson, Henderson, and Lesnar. His choices impacted the heavyweight division’s landscape and the UFC’s event matchmaking, fueling ongoing speculation and disappointment.
Jones’ retirement may bring fresh clarity to the division as new champions like Tom Aspinall rise, but the absence of those blockbuster matchups leaves a gap in MMA history that will likely remain unfilled. Moving forward, the sport will watch how emerging fighters seize the opportunities Jones left behind and whether any of the unresolved rivalries might find a new chapter in the future.
“Dana White last weekend that Jones has retired, vacating his heavyweight title in the process.” —Dana White, UFC President
“Reports quickly emerged of him demanding what Dana White called Deontay Wilder money for the bout.” —Dana White, UFC President