Jon Jones finally explains why he relinquished the UFC light heavyweight title – and it deserves respect
Jon Jones has made quite a few statements this year, but dropping the light heavyweight title was certainly the most startling.
The 205lb belt is something that Jones has cherished throughout his career. It almost seemed to hurt him whenever he wasn't champion.
And whenever he wasn't the champ, it was usually through his own doing as he got in trouble for failed drugs test and other controversies outside of the octagon.
Still, when he relinquished the title earlier this month, many fans started wondering if Bones was finally winding down his legendary MMA career.
The 32-year-old had said he wanted more money from UFC if he was to step up to heavyweight and the company seemed resistant to his demands.
However, just as Jones dropped his title, he said he had held promising talks with UFC and it seemed as though he might get what he wants after all.
While all of that was happening, Stipe Miocic retained the UFC heavyweight title against longtime Jones rival Daniel Cormier to end their trilogy and Cormier's MMA career.
UFC president Dana White said after the fight that there was no doubt that Francis Ngannou would be next in line after amassing four first-round knockouts in a row against top heavyweight competition.
It seems as though Jones kept this in mind when making his decision.
"I vacated the light heavyweight championship because I knew my heavyweight goals were going to take some time.
"I wasn't going to play games with the contenders and make people fight interim championship belts. There's little rest on the throne."
Interesting, just as Jones has made this reveal, Miocic has poured some cold water on the idea that he might rematch Ngannou.
He says he's looking for a new challenge now and that forces Dana White to make a decision. If Miocic ended up vacated and trying boxing, for example, a Jones and Ngannou fight has been mooted in the past and would be possible, too.