Jon Jones has walked away. Just like that. No farewell fight. No press tour. And no buildup. Just a single phone call that sent shockwaves through the UFC. The news didn’t trickle out. It dropped like a hammer in Azerbaijan.
During a UFC Fight Night press conference, Dana White stepped up and didn’t hesitate. “Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” he said. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.” That was it. The most dominant force in MMA was done.
Jon Jones Walks Away as Tom Aspinall Officially Crowned Heavyweight Champion
The promotion had been gearing up for a blockbuster unification bout between Jones and interim champ Tom Aspinall. That plan is now dust. With Jones stepping away, Aspinall is officially the undisputed heavyweight champion. White confirmed the UFC would begin working with Aspinall immediately to line up his first title defense.
🚨 Dana White has announced Jon Jones has officially retired from UFC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 21, 2025
Tom Aspinall has been named the UFC Heavyweight champion pic.twitter.com/ziDEMq5767
Hours after White’s stunning announcement, Jones backed it up online. “This decision comes after a lot of reflection,” he wrote. “I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.” He closed by calling MMA a permanent part of who he is. “I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways.”
Jones leaves the cage with a near-perfect 28-1 record. He climbed from light heavyweight to claim the heavyweight throne in 2023, defeating Ciryl Gane. His lone title defense came at UFC 309 in a brutal third-round finish over Stipe Miocic. Many hoped for one final showdown with Aspinall. A new lion chasing a legend. But Jones never seemed eager. He often shrugged off the matchup. Saying a win over Aspinall wouldn’t add to his legacy. Critics weren’t convinced. An online petition demanding the UFC strip him of the belt drew nearly 200,000 names. Now, it doesn’t matter. The belt is Aspinall’s. The reign of Jon Jones is officially over.
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