Jon Jones’ decision to leave the UFC has remained a talking point, especially after his expected fight with Tom Aspinall never happened. Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson believes Jones simply reached a point where he no longer wanted to compete.
Steveson discussed Jones during a conversation with Michael Bisping and rejected the idea that the former champion walked away because he was worried about Aspinall. Instead, he pointed to Jones losing the motivation required to prepare for another fight.
“I’ve known John for years now I don’t think that’s the case I think the case was he just the motivation to fight is not there and if it’s not there don’t step in the cage and I feel like that’s a lot of it.”
Steveson’s point was that MMA demands more than just being physically capable of fighting. A fighter has to accept the training camp, the pressure, and everything that comes with preparing to put their body through another difficult contest.
If that desire is missing, Steveson believes there is little reason to step into the cage. From his perspective, Jones did not need to prove anything by taking another fight if he no longer had that competitive drive.
The comments were Steveson’s assessment rather than a direct explanation from Jones. Still, Jones has previously talked about his changing relationship with fighting, which is part of why the question around his retirement has continued.
What Happened With Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall?
Jon Jones was supposed to face Tom Aspinall after the British fighter became the interim UFC Heavyweight champion. The matchup became one of the division’s biggest potential fights, but it never came together.
Aspinall won the interim title at UFC 295 after Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle before his scheduled bout with Stipe Miocic. The UFC later looked to make Jones vs. Aspinall for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.
Instead, Jones announced his retirement on June 21, 2025. UFC CEO Dana White later said Jones had contacted the promotion and told him he was retiring. White also revealed that the UFC had been close to finalizing Jones vs. Aspinall before the former changed his mind.
Jones has left the door open to fighting again if his desire to compete returns. He has not, however, committed to another UFC fight.
The heavyweight division has since changed considerably. Aspinall vacated the title in September 2026 because of continued problems with the eye injury he suffered against Ciryl Gane, with Gane subsequently becoming the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion.
For now, Jones remains retired from the UFC, while Steveson’s comments offer one explanation for why he chose to step away.
