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The end of the Jon Jones era at UFC finally arrived. The fighter who is touted as the best of all time in history MMA Officially declared retirement. This decision also confirmed Tom Aspinall as a legitimate and undeniable UFC heavyweight champion.
This shocking announcement was made directly by the CEO of UFC Dana White at a press conference after the UFC on ABC 8, Saturday (6/21/2025). According to White, Jon Jones Personally contact the UFC and declare his decision to hang gloves.
“Jon Jones called us last night and declared retirement. Now he was officially retired. Tom Aspinall is a UFC heavyweight champion,” Dana White said.
From interim status to the main throne
For months, Aspinall’s status as an interim champion continues to be questioned by the public, because the UFC has not yet scheduled a title of unification of titles with Jon Jones. Aspinall was even accused of being a shadow champion, while Jones was considered “avoiding” from the fight that was supposed to be a duel to determine the true power of the heavyweight division.
Now, speculation is no longer relevant. With Jones’s resignation, Aspinall no longer needed additional proof. He is the owner of a true belt. The British fighter previously defeated Curtis Blaydes to defend the Interim title, and now officially holds the status of full champion with a record of 15 wins and 3 defeats in his MMA career.
Jon Jones, a former lightweight heavyweight champion who moved up the class and won a heavyweight belt in March 2023, left a heed of glory as well as controversy. After three years of absence, he returned to defeat Ciryl Gane, then defended the title against Stipe Miocic in November 2024.
However, the public was disappointed because Jones was considered to avoid the unification match against Aspinall, although previously White had stated that the duel would occur 100 percent in 2025.
It was even rumored that Jones was more interested in facing Francis Ngannou – a former UFC heavyweight champion who now competed in PFL – rather than facing Aspinall.
