The last months of the UFC career of Jon Jones are not the broadcast you would expect for the man who, according to many, is the best to ever do it.
Even days after the news was officially made, Jones responds to criticism of social media after announcing the end of his run at the age of 37.
Although his greatest rival may have taken back some of his first comments about Jones's decision, there are many people who believe that the way 'bones' went out will influence his general inheritance.
Even the UFC itself came under some fire with Tom Aspinall's father who hit the process of the promotion to announce that the Brit is now the undisputed champion.
When he tried to see the decision from the perspective of the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, a legend of the sport suggested that Jones's legacy could have damaged even more if he had chosen to linger.
Dan Hardy says that Jon Jones could have had the same fate as Jose Aldo if he chose to fight Tom Aspinall
Although Jon Jones will always be remembered because of his incredible achievements in the Octagon, there will always be controversy and drama around his legacy.
His decision to retire without fighting Tom Aspinall is only the newest addition to this and for some fans this can be their lasting memory of his career.
In an interview with Submission Radio Dan Hardy tried to view Jones's pension through the eyes of the consensus the greatest of all time.
He believes that, although not fighting Asinall Jones did not paint in the best light, fighting the interim champion and being stopped in a destructive way, perhaps had an even greater impact on his legacy.
To support this point, Hardy refers to how Jose Aldo was viewed after the legendary UFC-Fedweight champion, which was in the conversation because he was one of the great of all time, was eliminated in 13 seconds by Conor McGregor.
“I try to view it from the perspective of Jon Jones. He has achieved so much, right? Why would he have the lasting memory of his career [be] Is Tom Aspinall stealed by Tom Aspinall in a round? Unfortunately you remember what it did with Aldo's career. Many people forgot how great Aldo was after the McGregor Knockout. It was almost as if he was a disposable hunter and I mean, I think that is the way the sport has changed in recent years “
Jose Aldo's legendary career also ended on an underwhelming way
Jose Aldo announced his retirement of MMA after a loss for Aiemann Zahabi on UFC 315 last May.
After initially retiring in 2022, the former Feederweight Champion returned to the Octagon in May last year for a last run in the Bantamweight Division.
Although he apparently had plans to continue for at least a while longer, a second controversial loss of decision in a row led Aldo to run away before.
Jose Aldo's UFC Return ToogstoneSentesultaiemann Zahabiufc 315Unanimous Decision Lossmario Bautistaufc 307Split concludes Lossjonathan Martinezufc 301Unanimous Decision Win
Although he was able to bounce back from the loss to Conor McGregor to a certain extent, the suffering of such an iconic defeat certainly had an influence on his stock and the way in which fans viewed him for some time.