Jon Jones will most probably ride in the sunset after battling Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 this weekend. In a recent interview, the heavyweight champion looked rather contemplative as he opened up about why he is doing so despite the almost universal criticism he is getting.

“You know you’ve seen Jordan lose you see LeBron lose. As an MMA fighter man when you have been able to do such a thing, the gamble is a lot greater. It becomes more and more great. We’re also risking our brain cells, right? There’s a neurological thing there that you have to take seriously,” Jones said in an interview with ESPN MMA.

The heavyweight kingpin confessed that he didn’t want to become like the other GOATs and be someone who fizzles out rather painfully. Especially when there is a very real risk to one’s long-term health involved. In fact, Jones feels that his decision to go out on top could be an example for other great athletes to follow.

I just want to start a new kind of precedent with athletes that you don’t have to get chewed up and spit out by the industry you work for, you know. It is okay to take your ball and go home without scraping your knee,” ‘Bones’ explained.

A rather introspective Jones felt that he had put his record and his neurological health on the line enough at this point and just wanted it to end. “It’s okay to say ‘I’ve done enough and I am enough and I’m proud of my body of work.’ I’ve gambled my status, I guess. I’ve done it over and over and over again. 16 times I’ve fought the number one guy in the world and I’ve come out on top. It’s like when’s enough enough, you know? When can I take my chips and cash them in, you know,” Jones asked poignantly.

That seems to be a very reasonable position for Jones to take. Then why is he being criticized? Well, let’s take a look.

Jon Jones’s idea of an Alex Pereira fight undermines his own claims

Of course, Jon Jones has every right to retire whenever he wants. The champ has been fighting professionally for the past sixteen years and has done everything that one could do and achieve in the sport. While many were rightfully upset that the consensus MMA GOAT chose to fight Miocic instead of interim champion Tom Aspinall, if Jones feels he doesn’t have another fight in him, then that’s perfectly fine.

But, the fact that Jones, in the same interview, confirmed that he will be willing to have another bout after Miocic, is what is frustrating fans so much. If he indeed wants to cash in his chips and move on to the next phase of his life, as he is claiming, why even consider having another fight? After all, the man himself claims he has done enough to be able to move on from fighting.

It seems he isn’t quite done but just doesn’t want to fight Tom Aspinall, who will probably be the favorite going into a Jones fight. Instead, he is very open to fighting Alex Pereira in what he considers would be a better bet for his legacy and even financially. What do you think about Jon Jones’ thoughts about his retirement? Tell us in the comment section below!