Jon Jones has stepped away from mixed martial arts. After building anticipation for two years towards a superfight with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, the 37-year-old informed the UFC on Friday night that he is retiring. This retirement notice came amid the UFC’s refusal to strip Jones of his inactive heavyweight titles. UFC president Dana White announced the news following a UFC Fight Night event in Baku, Azerbaijan, stating, “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Tom Aspinall is now the heavyweight UFC champion.”
Jones, a two-division champ and former light heavyweight dominant champion with a record of 28-1 and 1 no contest, is widely regarded as the greatest fighter in UFC history and MMA overall. However, his 17-year career was marred by personal issues, including three title stripping incidents due to failed drug tests and legal troubles, along with a strained relationship with UFC leadership. After returning from a three-year hiatus in 2023 to clinch the vacant title against Ciryl Gane, Jones was expected to face Aspinall later this year. Aspinall, a 32-year-old English fighter, won the interim title last November after Jones withdrew from defending his title against former champion Stipe Miocic.
Aspinall predicted Jones would retire without fighting him and maintained his interim title by knocking out Curtis Blades in a rematch earlier this year. Jones had controversially defeated Miocic last November despite Miocic’s lengthy layoffs and age. After Jones’ retirement announcement, Aspinall addressed fans via social media, encouraging the audience to move on and recognize a positive, undisputed heavyweight champion.
Jones’ retirement disappointment revolves around UFC politics and the fact that White had previously said Jones agreed to fight Aspinall, though Jones has been inconsistent about his future plans. On a recent podcast, Jones admitted he might fight again, saying fighting is in his blood even if his current focus is elsewhere. Despite his only loss being a disqualification in 2009, Jones defeated many Hall of Fame fighters but also lost titles due to doping violations.
White expressed no regrets about his decision to hand the heavyweight crown to Jones, acknowledging the impact on Aspinall but praising the interim champ’s role in the process. Shortly after the retirement news, it emerged Jones is facing another criminal charge related to a hit-and-run incident in New Mexico and is due in court on July 24.
Fan Take: Jon Jones’ retirement marks the end of an era for MMA fans who witnessed one of the sport’s most gifted yet controversial talents. This shift opens the heavyweight division to new contenders and could revitalize competition and fan interest in the sport’s top weight class.
