It’s official: Jon Jones is out. Tom Aspinall is in.
In a dramatic twist, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Jon “Bones” Jones has retired from MMA, handing the undisputed heavyweight crown to interim champ Tom Aspinall.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White said during a press conference in Azerbaijan following UFC Fight Night. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
Jones, 38 next month, walks away with a 28-1 record (11 TKOs), having dominated both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. His last fight was a dominant third-round TKO over Stipe Miocic in November 2024.
Jones was expected to unify the belts with Aspinall, but that bout now looks dead in the water.
The Brit wasted no time embracing his new status. “For you fans. It’s time to get this heavyweight division going,” Aspinall posted on Instagram. “An active undisputed champion.”
Jones’ retirement comes just days after he hinted on the Full Send Podcast that he wasn’t done for good.
“I don’t want to say that I’m retired,” he said. “Right now, I could really care less about fighting… but when the itch comes back — and if it comes back — I’ll do it with my whole heart.”
Whether he’s truly done or just taking a breather, Jones leaves behind a legacy few can match: 16-0 in UFC title fights, the youngest champ in UFC history at 23, and a decade-plus reign of dominance. But his career wasn’t without drama — suspensions, legal troubles, and a few personal demons.
For now, the Jon Jones era is over. The Tom Aspinall era just began.
