Rashad Evans admits he has conflicting feelings about the potential fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall in the UFC, revealing a part of him actually wishes it never happens.
While the former UFC light heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer appreciates the excitement of such a matchup, he is also acutely aware of the high stakes for Jones. Jones is widely regarded as the greatest fighter of all time, boasting a record marred only by a single disqualification loss. In terms of career achievements, Jones stands in a league of his own.
Evans elaborated on why, despite his enthusiasm for seeing Jones compete against Aspinall, he recognizes the potential downsides of this particular clash for the legendary fighter.
“Here`s where I`m somewhat torn,” Evans told MMA Fighting. “The fan inside me definitely wants to see this fight. I absolutely want to see it. But another part of me, which is incredibly impressed with Jon Jones`s capabilities, wants to see him conclude his career at the pinnacle and perhaps not even need to fight again.”
He continued, “Because the reality is, there will always be a new contender. If he defeats Tom Aspinall, people will immediately point to the next guy. There is always that ultimate challenge to overcome. Part of me could respect him for choosing not to take the fight, but another part is simply saying, `Man, you need to step up and beat this young man.` Honestly, I feel mixed about it.”
A key part of Jones`s counter-argument against fighting Aspinall has centered on the British heavyweight`s overall resume and the consistent emergence of new challengers regardless of victory.
By nearly all metrics, Jones has accomplished more than enough to retire now with his legacy securely cemented. The question then becomes: how significantly might that legacy change if he were to suffer a loss?
Evans points to this as another reason for his reservations about the fight, acknowledging that age eventually impacts every athlete, and Jon Jones is not immune to the effects of time.
“Here`s a certainty – eventually, time will claim its toll,” Evans stated. “No matter who you are, Jon has been remarkably fortunate inside the octagon, managing to remain undefeated and perform well, even in his closely contested bouts.”
He used an analogy: “But eventually, if you linger long enough, you`re going to get caught. You will be clipped at some point. My view is, you`ve achieved everything. Just take it easy.”
Although Evans and Jones were once close, training together at Greg Jackson`s gym in New Mexico, they haven`t communicated in quite some time.
For this reason, Evans cannot comment on Jones`s current mindset regarding fighting or the possibility of retirement, but he understands the inherent difficulty for some athletes in stepping away when their sport has become their defining identity.
“I don`t know the current Jon Jones, and I`m unsure if there`s an element within him that requires this fight in some way,” Evans commented. “Sometimes, you`ve been involved in something for so long that it becomes deeply intertwined with who you are. Exploring and redefining yourself outside of that context might not be something you`re ready or willing to pursue.”
He added, “I`m not in touch with Jon Jones right now, so I don`t know if this perspective is even a consideration for him.”
Evans speaks from personal experience about his own retirement journey, describing the challenge of finding direction after stepping away from the recognition of being a fighter.
It took him considerable time and introspection to finally embark on a different path. Evans is now settled in his identity both within and outside the fighting world, but he is uncertain if Jones has contemplated this aspect while considering the conclusion of his career.
“I went through a difficult period, literally hell, just rediscovering my identity,” Evans recalled. “A lot of self-doubt, questioning my past choices, revisiting painful memories and decisions I had made, and extensive soul-searching. Some individuals are not prepared for that. Some find it difficult and resort to detrimental habits for comfort, which ultimately harms their health.”
He concluded, “I just hope for his sake that he is capable of making that transition successfully. Because the challenges outside the octagon take on a completely different form when you are no longer a pay-per-view star.”
