A recent post by Jon Jones’ training partner Gordon Ryan has generated a lot of discussion among MMA fans.
According to Michael Bisping, Gordon Ryan’s recent statement regarding Jon Jones intending to retire following UFC 295 could be an effort to raise interest in his matchup with Stipe Miocic.
“Bones” defeated Ciryl Gane in just over two minutes at UFC 285 to make his heavyweight debut earlier this year. After Francis Ngannou departed the organisation as a free agent to sign with the PFL, the victory made Jones the promotion’s heavyweight champion. His first title defence will now take place against a fighter who many believe to be the GOAT of the division.
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Gordon Ryan’s Post On Jon Jones Retirement May Be A Move To Stir Attention To Jones vs Miocic
Ryan recently stated in a post that Jones might be quitting the sport after UFC 295, and Bisping quickly opined on what the reigning world champion in grappling may have meant in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Maybe this will be it,” Bisping said. “Maybe [UFC 295] will be the final time we get to see Jon Jones. Or maybe, [Ryan’s] just hyping up the fight so everyone tunes in. Because guess what, you get a percentage pf the pay-per-view as a champ. Maybe you put a couple of bull***t statements out there, you get everyone to tune in thinking it’s gonna be the ‘last ever time’. Because that really would be something, the retirement of Jon Jones.” He also added, “ That drives up the pay-per-view sales, which puts more dollars in his bank account. I’m not saying that’s what he’s doing, what I’m saying is these are possible eventualities. Possible reasons for why Gordon Ryan did this.”
Although “The Count” also thinks UFC 295 will likely be the end of the road for the all-time great, Bisping isn’t about to criticise Ryan for trying to help Jones earn one last significant payday before the end of his fighting career. This is true regardless of what the grappling champion’s most recent post was intended to suggest.
Although Miocic has been out of action for more than two years, many fans are hoping he can present a more significant challenge for the former light heavyweight champion after the 36-year-old Jones’ quick victory at UFC 285 raised many doubts about how the fighter might fare in a longer heavyweight fight.
The main heavyweight match at UFC 295 probably would have been enough to draw a sizable crowd, but the bill also includes a contest for the vacant light heavyweight title between Ji Procházka and Alex Pereira, who is making his comeback from injury.
