A Shocking Farewell From an MMA Icon

The UFC experienced a seismic moment during the post-event press conference in Baku, as company president Dana White confirmed the unexpected retirement of Jon Jones, widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. At 37, Jones walks away from the sport and relinquishes his heavyweight belt, now passed on to Tom Aspinall.

“Jon Jones informed us last night of his decision to retire. As a result, Tom Aspinall is the new undisputed UFC heavyweight champion,” said White, leaving the press room in stunned silence. The long-awaited matchup between the two will now remain a fantasy for fans worldwide.

A Brilliant Legacy Ends Amid Inactivity

While Jones had hinted at retirement earlier, the confirmation still came as a surprise. The American phenom became the youngest champion in UFC history at age 23, ruling the light heavyweight division from 2011 to 2021 before moving up to heavyweight in 2023.

His final bout came in November 2024 against Stipe Miocic, a convincing victory. However, with only three fights since 2020, his prolonged inactivity was a growing concern.

Tom Aspinall, who held the interim belt, responded swiftly: “It’s time for this heavyweight division to move forward. Now we have an active undisputed champion,” said the British fighter, who had previously claimed he didn’t need to fight Jones to retire him.

Despite the anticlimactic end, Jon Jones leaves behind an unparalleled legacy. His official record stands at 28 wins and just one loss — a 2009 disqualification against Matt Hamill for illegal elbows, a rule now changed in modern MMA.

The retirement of Jones closes the chapter on a remarkable era — one filled with brilliance, controversy, and unmatched dominance. The heavyweight division now turns to Aspinall to lead the next generation and uphold the standard once set by the sport’s most iconic figure.