Jon Jones Announces UFC Retirement, Dana White Names Tom Aspinall Heavyweight Champion

Jon Jones officially announced his retirement from UFC in a social media post on Saturday night.

"Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC," he wrote. "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."

His post comes after UFC president Dana White announced earlier Saturday that Jones officially retired from the promotion, making Tom Aspinall the new heavyweight champion.

"Jon Jones called us last night and retired," White told reporters at a press conference. "Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."

Jones was previously the UFC heavyweight champion, while Aspinall was the interim heavyweight champion.

A unification fight never materialized, though.

Dana White told The Mac Life on Sunday that a fight between Jones and Aspinall was "done" and he didn't know why Jones retired:

White also indicated compensation was not the issue and Jones was offered "what he deserves," although he dismissed the idea that Jones was "ducking" Aspinall.

Jones previously suggested that he could vacate the title before it was stripped from him in a social media post, revealing that he hadn't "really worked out" since his victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in Nov. 2024.

The 37-year-old also hinted at his MMA career coming to a close during a Thursday appearance on the Full Send Podcast.

"I don't want to say that I'm retired because fighting's in my blood," Jones said. "Right now, I could really care less about fighting. I've been doing it my whole life at a very high level and when the itch comes back—and if it comes back—then I'll do it with my whole heart, do it to the best of my abilities."

"I've punched and kicked enough people," he added.

Jones owns a career record of 28-1.

He became the youngest champion in UFC history when he took the light heavyweight title in 2011 at 23 years old, eventually transitioning to the heavyweight division in 2023.

Jones beat Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight crown at UFC 285, establishing himself as the eighth UFC fighter to be a champion in two divisions.

Now, Aspinall is the new heavyweight champion with Jones stepping away.