Legal issues and controversies littered Jones' career, which was a legendary one inside the octagon. He faced suspensions, removal from the UFC rankings and vacated multiple titles for his failed drug tests, a hit-and-run conviction, a domestic violence arrest and other troubles.

The timing of Jones’ retirement coincides with UFC fans accusing him of “ducking” or refusing to fight Aspinall, as well as yet another allegation against Jones, similar in nature to a previous hit and run Jones was involved in that threatened to derail his career.