Jon Jones has officially retired, but he refuses to let the story end on anyone else’s terms. With the heavyweight title relinquished and Tom Aspinall crowned as the new champion, ‘Bones’ is now trying to save face after receiving fan outrage and headlines accusing him of ducking Aspinall. So, how is he doing it? By discussing his legacy and what he believes is his biggest contribution to the sport.

In a post that soon went viral, Jones claimed that his lengthy, controversial battle with anti-doping authorities resulted in a global change in drug testing levels. He maintained that he was not just protecting himself but also pioneering a movement that today affects “millions of athletes around the world.”

He wrote on X, “Due to my hard work and willingness to defend myself… I didn’t just change the sport of MMA; I changed all of them.” For a guy who had long been regarded as a cautionary tale, it was a bold attempt at rewriting his role into that of a reformer. He further added, “I took the heat so millions of athletes could compete. You’re welcome.” And, while the words may sound self-congratulatory, the claim has truth.

In recent years, major sports organizations’ testing criteria for trace substances have changed significantly. The same micro-doses that used to result in lengthy suspensions now frequently produce no action at all. Jones was not the only athlete who spoke out against what many saw as defective protocols, but he was undoubtedly the most vocal and possibly the most scrutinized.

Nonetheless, this attempt to change the narrative comes at a tricky time. His retirement came not after a grand finale or a hard-fought contest, but after months of evasion, where fans accused him of ducking Tom Aspinall. The viral petition requesting that the UFC strip him of the belt was about more than just frustration; it was also about accountability.

When Dana White revealed that Jones was officially done, many saw it as evidence of cowardice rather than closure. Some argue that the current emphasis on legacy reform is an attempt to divert attention away from the unfinished business inside the cage. And the argument gains more weight when ‘Bones’ goes off against critics like Demetrious Johnson, who question his GOAT status.

Jon Jones speaks against Demetrious Johnson’s take on his GOAT status

When Demetrious Johnson appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show and publicly questioned Jones’ status in the GOAT argument, it was only a matter of time before ‘Bones’ responded. He has never been one to take criticism quietly, especially when it comes from someone as respected as ‘Mighty Mouse.’ Johnson’s claim was straightforward but effective: how can someone be called the greatest if they had failed drug tests and been stripped of titles?

However, for Jon Jones, that hit close to home, and he did not take the accusation lightly. Despite not directly naming ‘Mighty Mouse,’ Jones began lashing out at “smaller fighters” who were “jealous of real greatness.” It was not subtle. He portrayed himself as someone who “dominated generations” and stated, “Let’s not pretend like size isn’t part of the reason they stayed clean. Try carrying the weight of a whole division while fighting monsters.”

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To him, the conversation isn’t about perfection; it’s about opposition, scale, and breaking new ground. But for fans watching this exchange unfold, it only added fuel to the fire. On the one hand, there’s Johnson, calm and technical, presenting a clear slate. Jones, on the other hand, is outspoken and defensive, with a resume full of high points and controversy.

It’s a question as old as the sport itself: what is more important, a perfect record or absolute dominance? Jon Jones believes he has transformed the game forever. Demetrious Johnson believes he broke the rules to accomplish this. And neither is backing down. Who do you believe is right? Let us know in the comments.