Dana White drops bombshell Jon Jones news as Tom Aspinall is revealed as new UFC heavyweight champion
Jon Jones has officially retired from MMA, according to Dana White.
White revealed after UFC Baku on Saturday night that Jones had called him on Friday to announce he was leaving the sport for good.
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Tom Aspinall has been promoted to the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight championCredit: GETTYThe UFC CEO and President then declared Tom Aspinall was the new official undisputed heavyweight champion.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” he said.
“Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
Jones hasn’t fought in the UFC since defeating Stipe Miocic in November.
READ MORE MMA NEWSThat was his only defence of the heavyweight strap after submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023 to win it following a three-year MMA hiatus, as he focused on moving up a weight class.
During this time, Brit Aspinall became the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich.
He then defended his status as the interim champion by stopping Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds in his last fight at UFC Manchester in July.
White, 55, later revealed that he doesn’t regret waiting for Jones to make a decision on his future.
He said on Wednesday that ‘Bones’ only had a matter of weeks to decide if he was going to defend the heavyweight title against Aspinall.
The only thing he felt bad about was Aspinall being held on the sidelines, and losing out on a huge pay day by not getting his fight with Jones.
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Jones is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time
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White dropped the bomb on Jones’ retirement at UFC Baku on Saturday nightCredit: Getty”We’ll make it up to him, Aspinall’s been great,” White added,
“He’s been willing to fight [Jones] anywhere, at any time.
“He’s going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I’m excited to work with him.”
Aspinall has since responded to the huge news on his Instagram.
“For you fans,” he captioned a video that showed White breaking Jones’ retirement.
“It’s time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion.”
Aspinall set the unwanted record of becoming the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history in April.
He had been calling to unify the UFC’s heavyweight division for months, but to no avail.
Jones had consistently avoided any talks of fighting Aspinall both before and after he defeated Miocic in what will go down as his final UFC appearance.
Frustrated by the lack of movement from the now-former champion, MMA fans set up a petition demanding that ‘Bones’ be stripped of his this.
But those fans have now been vindicated, as Jones has officially retired – bringing an end to months of uncertainty, with Aspinall now gearing up for the first defence of his new belt.
He becomes the third undisputed UFC champion from England, joining British MMA pioneer Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards on the list.
Jon Jones’ Last Six UFC Fights
Legendary
W – Stipe Miocic via third-round TKO at UFC 309 in November 2024
W – Ciryl Gane via first-round submission at UFC 285 in March 2023
W – Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision at UFC 247 in February 2020
W – Thiago Santos via split decision at UFC 239 in July 2019
W – Anthony Smith via unanimous decision at UFC 235 in March 2019
W – Alexander Gustafsson via third-round TKO in December 2018
Regardless of how he handled the Aspinall situation, Jones’ record remains undeniable, and in the eyes of many, he will still go down as the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
The long-time light heavyweight champion sliced through several generations of talent during his heyday before becoming the youngest-ever UFC champion by stopping Mauricio Rua at UFC 128 in 2011.
He has a record 16 title fight victories in White’s promotion, and his 13-fight winning streak set between 2010 and 2016 will be etched in UFC record books forever.
Jones made his UFC debut back in August 2008, claiming a unanimous win over Andre Gusmao before winning two more bouts against Stephan Bonnar and Jake O’Brien.
He then suffered the first and only defeat of his career, albeit in controversial style, to Matt Hamill in 2009.
Read More on talkSPORT’Bones’ then embarked on a legendary run in the promotion that transformed him into a worldwide superstar.
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Jones has the most title defences in UFC historyCredit: GettyHis MMA career has been covered in controversies – including suspensions, legal issues, and drug failings – but his dominance inside the Octagon was never a doubt.
