'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAIBAAAgEDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQREhMhMQVBkf/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/xAAYEQEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIRMf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AwiHx9vJbSrvsWCjUu3gKdXGDnkfKnyWtjHIyST3QdSQ2I17HfulKR7Lm6Bv/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Professional mixed martial artist Jon Jones has officially retired from the UFC and relinquished his heavyweight title to Tom Aspinall, who had held the interim belt for 18 months. This bombshell news was announced by Dana White, CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Dana made the announcement during a press conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. It came after a reporter inquired about the deadline he had set for Jon Jones to appear in a fight against Tom Aspinall — a bout often referred to as the biggest in UFC heavyweight history.
“I'd like to ask you a question about the heavyweight front. You recently set a deadline for Jon Jones to face Tom Aspinall or risk losing the title. And with that situation evolving, what criteria are you using to decide to uphold legacy waiting for Jones or prioritizing division activity by clearing the belt?” the reporter asked.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” Dana White replied.
More details on Dana White’s announcement of Jon Jones' retirement
In an explosive update on Saturday, White revealed that Jon Jones announced his retirement during a phone call on Friday, June 20, 2025. He also mentioned that Aspinall would head to Las Vegas in the coming weeks to defend his newly claimed title.
“I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him. Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. He's been willing to do anything -- fight him anywhere and anytime, and do this, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him.' So, Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I'm excited to work with him,” White said.
A few days before this announcement, Jones told the Full Send Podcast he didn't care less about fighting Aspinall, claiming that a fight with the 32-year-old fighter would not affect his legacy.
“I don't want to say that I'm retired because fighting is in my blood. Right now, I could really care less about fighting… When the itch comes back, if it comes back, then I'll do it with my whole heart.”
“I think I will fight again. Where the future of combat sports is going, it's going to be amazing when I pop back up,” he added.
Jones has had an impressive fighting career. At the age of 23, he became the youngest champion in UFC history after his victory over Maurício Rua in the lightweight division. He holds several UFC records, including the most wins, the most title defenses, and the longest winning streak.
Read more: Fanatics Fest 2025: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams thinks Green Bay Packers fans 'suck'
Trending
In 2009, Jones was awarded FIGHT! Magazine’s Newcomer of the Year Award. In 2011, he also received FIGHT’s Fighter of the Year Award, and in 2023, he won the ESPN award for Best MMA Fighter.
Read more: Tom Brady has a hilarious interaction with old rival Eli Manning at Fanatics Fest 2025
Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!
Reply
