"Don’t try to pull a fast one on me!" This is the firm stance taken by a UFC icon who has decisively ruled out a trilogy match against the last fighter to defeat him in the Octagon.
It's not unusual for fighters to reconsider their retirement when they feel the urge to compete again. Recently, Jon Jones expressed that he might be "finished" with his fighting career after initially announcing his retirement, spurred by recent developments surrounding the UFC White House event.
Despite facing considerable backlash regarding the conclusion of his career, the legendary fighter, often referred to as 'Bones', believes he has nothing more to prove in the arena.
On another note, Dustin Poirier is still grappling with a sense of unresolved rivalry with Justin Gaethje, especially since both athletes have claimed victories over each other in their previous encounters.
Another formidable fighter, who also finds himself at a crossroads in his career, is steadfast in his decision to move on from this chapter of his life.
- LATEST UPDATE: Jon Jones acknowledges that to overcome another contender for the title of greatest of all time (GOAT), he would need to muster every ounce of effort despite facing a significant size disparity.*
What do you think is the greatest rivalry in the history of the UFC? There have been numerous intense rivalries over the years. We’d love to hear about your favorites in the comments!
In a recent encounter, Demetrious Johnson made it clear that he has no intention of competing in Real American Freestyle against fellow fighter Henry Cejudo. At a charity event where Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson had a face-to-face discussion, they addressed the ongoing debate regarding who truly deserves the title of GOAT in UFC history.
Since making his debut in 2011, Johnson has impressively set the record for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC history. After a successful streak of six victories in ONE Championship, during which he experienced his first stoppage loss and concluded his own trilogy, Johnson announced his retirement in 2024. His journey with the UFC ended following a bout against Cejudo, where he lost the championship belt, thereby evening their score to 1-1.
Both Johnson and Cejudo participated in the same celebrity flag football event last week, yet Johnson was resolute about not wanting to engage in a grappling match with his frenemy. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, he stated, "Don’t try to con me into this crap. I’m retired; I have other commitments... I’m not interested in that. That’s all you, buddy."
- LATEST UPDATE: Justin Gaethje makes light of Paddy Pimblett when asked about the most surprising element of their fight.*
Can you name a better fighter than Demetrious Johnson? If weight classes were set aside, many would argue that 'Mighty Mouse' is unparalleled in the sport.
Looking ahead, Henry Cejudo is set to face yet another legendary opponent who has also returned from retirement. Cejudo made headlines when he vacated his bantamweight title and decided to retire in 2020, only to make a comeback to the UFC three years later. Urijah Faber experienced a similar hiatus before returning to the Octagon in 2019 for a couple of additional fights in a brief comeback.
Mark your calendars for February 28, when these two legends are scheduled to clash at the next Real American Freestyle event, taking place at the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
