Dana White Reveals Two UFC Legends Who Should Have Never Retired, Plus Jon Jones Hints at His Career Finale

Dana White has some regrets about two of UFC’s legends, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier, hanging up their gloves. He believes both fighters had more to give when they decided to retire. This sentiment echoes a larger concern in the MMA community about premature retirements in sports.

Right now, fans are buzzing about a potential fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. There’s a lot of excitement, but Jones has hinted at retirement, leaving fans uncertain. Chael Sonnen mentioned that while Jones hasn’t outright rejected the idea of fighting Aspinall, the chances seem slim.

During a recent press conference, White spoke about the situation. He said, “If a fighter wants to retire, there’s not much anyone can do.” He also reflected on Khabib and Cormier, expressing that he wished they had continued their careers longer.

Interestingly, some fans have grown frustrated with Jones, leading to a petition calling for the UFC to strip him of his title. This petition has gained over 187,000 signatures. White dismissed the petition as "silly," highlighting the challenges he faces in managing fighter retirements and titles.

Recent data from a survey in the MMA community shows that many fans feel retired fighters can still contribute to the sport, either through mentorship or by returning to fight. This desire for fighters to remain engaged, even informally, reflects a deeper connection fans feel toward their heroes.

In the world of sports, retirements are always a hot topic. The sports landscape is dotted with notable retirements that left fans wanting more. For example, boxing fans still remember the sudden retirement of Muhammed Ali, who many believed had the spirit to fight on.

As the debate continues, it’s clear that fans and promoters alike wish for the best fights possible. Dana White’s hopes for a Jones vs. Aspinall matchup could still materialize, but it will depend on the fighters’ decisions regarding their respective futures. The longing for more action from legends like Khabib and Cormier shows just how passionate fans are about the sport.

For more on retirements in sports, you can read this detailed report from the NCAA which looks at the impacts of athlete retirements on fans and the sports industry.

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Dana White,Daniel Cormier,Jon Jones,Khabib Nurmagomedov,UFC