UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is stepping away from the Octagon for good, and there’s a new king of the heavyweight division. UFC CEO Dana White made the announcement following UFC’s debut event in Baku, Azerbaijan. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, White revealed that Jones personally contacted the organization and informed them of his decision to retire. With Jones out of the picture, interim champion Tom Aspinall has officially been recognized as the new Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. The move ends speculation over a potential unification bout between Jones and Aspinall, a matchup fans had long been waiting for.
🚨 TOM ASPINALL IS THE OFFICIAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP@DanaWhite has announced that Jon Jones has RETIRED, thus elevating @AspinallMMA to become the heavyweight champ 🏆 pic.twitter.com/oJ8a9nl8KT
— UFC (@ufc) June 21, 2025
Just days earlier, White had hinted at pushing to make Jones vs. Aspinall happen, setting a deadline for the fight to be finalized. But with Jones unexpectedly pulling the plug, the UFC Heavyweight Title picture has changed dramatically.
Jones issued the following statement about his retirement from MMA:
“Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.
From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever. I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.
I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage.
As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”
Aspinall wrote the following about becoming the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion:
“For you fans. It’s time to get this Heavyweight division going. An active Undisputed Champion.”
Aspinall now moves forward as the division’s top name, while the legendary career of Jon Jones appears to have reached its final chapter. Jones retires with a record of 28-1-1, with his only loss being a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill, where he destroyed Hamill with illegal elbows.
Jones once teased a fight with Brock Lesnar. After defeating Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 in 2017 (later overturned to a No Contest because of Jon’s drug test failure), Jones said the following in the post-fight interview:
“Brock Lesnar, if you want to know what it feels like to get your a$$ kicked by a guy who weighs 40 pounds less than you, meet me in the Octagon.”
Lesnar’s response was: “Be careful what you wish for.”
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