Jon Jones Early Retirement a Message to LeBron James?

LeBron James and Deion Sanders are ‘to blame’ for Jon Jones‘ early retirement. It’s no secret that UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is nearing the conclusion of his fighting career. Fans conjectured that Jones, widely known as “Bones,” would have one last battle before hanging up his gloves, following his decisive victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

The deeper motivations for Jones’ choice to retire while still playing at the highest level, however, have finally been revealed.

Jon Jones Making family and health a priority

Jones revealed the reasons behind his early retirement in an interview with YouTuber Alex G Was Here. The 37-year-old fighter, who has experienced his fair share of injuries, stated that preventing long-term health problems—especially brain injuries like CTE, which have afflicted many fighters in retirement—is his top priority.

Jones clarified: “I pride myself on being a simple guy,”  “I want to have a real simple life, doing normal stuff, just being a dad, staying healthy, and keeping a good head on my shoulders. You see a lot of fighters who keep going for too long, and they start forgetting their own name. I never want to be a punch-drunk athlete. I just want to get out while I still feel great and save these neurons for my babies, to be a great dad.”

Jones’ remarks draw attention to the risks associated with extending a career in combat sports as well as the sacrifices sportsmen make for their art. He made the choice in order to ensure a happy, healthy future for himself and his family.

In the interview, Jones also mentioned how much he admires two legendary athletes, Deion Sanders and LeBron James. In addition to succeeding in their careers, both have developed close relationships with their kids, which has motivated Jones to follow in their footsteps.

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