Jon Jones retires making Tom Aspinall new UFC heavyweight champion
Jon Jones has officially stepped away from MMA, and Tom Aspinall is now recognised as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the news during the post-fight press conference at UFC Baku on Saturday, following the organisation’s first-ever event in Azerbaijan. White revealed that Jones phoned the UFC the night before to announce his retirement.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White stated. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
This announcement comes shortly after White mentioned plans to set a deadline to finalise a potential bout between Jones and Aspinall, following prolonged uncertainty over whether the fight would materialise.
It seems that prompted Jones to make his decision final. With his departure, Aspinall now assumes full control of the heavyweight division and looks ahead to his first title defence.
Jon Jones’ refusal to fight Tom Aspinall stands as one of the most glaring examples of blatant ducking in the history of combat sports.
For over a year, the UFC heavyweight division was held hostage by uncertainty as fans waited for the long-anticipated clash between the reigning champion Jon Jones and the surging interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall. Despite Aspinall earning his shot through dominant performances and claiming the interim belt in emphatic fashion, Jones repeatedly deflected from the matchup—citing injury delays, retirement teases, and an apparent lack of interest.
But now, with UFC CEO Dana White confirming that Jones has officially retired and relinquished the title, it’s impossible to ignore what this really is: a champion refusing to fight his most dangerous and deserving contender.
Jones, who once claimed the mantle of “the baddest man on the planet,” opted to walk away rather than defend his title against a fighter widely seen as his toughest test to date. This isn’t just a missed superfight—it’s a deliberate avoidance that casts a long shadow over an otherwise legendary career.
For all of Jones’ accolades, this decision adds yet another stain to a legacy already complicated by failed drug tests, controversies, and long layoffs. Aspinall, meanwhile, now rightfully takes his place as the undisputed heavyweight champion, and the division can finally move forward with clarity and excitement.
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