The long-standing saga surrounding the UFC Heavyweight Championship has finally reached its conclusion. In a dramatic turn of events, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Saturday that reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones has officially retired from mixed martial arts. This surprising announcement immediately elevates interim champion Tom Aspinall to the status of undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion.
The Long-Awaited Resolution
For months, the MMA world has been anticipating a unification bout between Jones and Aspinall. Jones, widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, had held the undisputed title since March 2023 but had only defended it once, against Stipe Miocic in November 2024. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall had been a highly active and dominant interim champion, consistently calling for the unification fight.
The reluctance of Jones to commit to a fight with Aspinall had led to widespread frustration among fans and fellow fighters, with many speculating that Jones was avoiding the younger, surging contender. Aspinall himself had even stated previously that he believed he would “retire Jon Jones without even fighting him.”
Dana White’s Announcement Confirms Retirement
During a post-fight press conference at UFC Baku, Dana White confirmed that Jon Jones had called him the previous night to confirm his decision to retire. White stated, “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
This move brings an end to Jones’ illustrious, albeit controversial, career, which saw him dominate both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. His legacy will be debated, with his in-cage brilliance often juxtaposed against his numerous out-of-cage issues.
Aspinall’s “Raunchy Reaction” and Future as Champion
Tom Aspinall’s reaction to the news was one of clear elation. While details of a “raunchy reaction” are somewhat vague in reports, Aspinall certainly expressed his satisfaction and readiness to usher in a new era for the heavyweight division. He posted on social media, sharing clips of White’s announcement and promising fans an “active undisputed champion.” He also shared images and videos celebrating his new undisputed status, a moment he had long campaigned for.
Aspinall’s promotion to undisputed champion is well-deserved, given his impressive run through the division. He has already defeated top contenders like Sergei Pavlovich and avenged his sole UFC loss against Curtis Blaydes.
