Jon Jones has officially retired from mixed martial arts, UFC President Dana White confirmed following UFC Baku on June 21, 2025. Jones informed White of his decision to leave the sport permanently during a phone call on Friday, ending months of speculation about his future.
In response, Dana White declared Tom Aspinall as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, officially passing the torch after months of uncertainty surrounding the division. The focus keyword
“Jon Jones official retirement and UFC heavyweight champion”
marks a major shift in the UFC heavyweight landscape.
Details of Jones’ Retirement and Aspinall’s Rise
Jones last competed in November 2024, when he defeated Stipe Miocic by third-round TKO at UFC 309. That bout was Jones’ only defense of the heavyweight title, which he captured earlier at UFC 285 in March 2023 by submitting Ciryl Gane. His heavyweight tenure followed a three-year MMA hiatus devoted to moving up from light heavyweight.
During Jones’ time away, Brit Tom Aspinall emerged as the interim heavyweight champion after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall solidified his claim with a swift 60-second stoppage of Curtis Blaydes at UFC Manchester in July 2024. Dana White expressed no regrets about waiting for Jones to decide, but acknowledged the challenges faced by Aspinall during the prolonged vacancy.
Jon Jones called us last night and retired,
Dana White said.
Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.
—Dana White, UFC President
We’ll make it up to him, Aspinall’s been great,
White added.
He’s going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I’m excited to work with him.
—Dana White, UFC President
Aspinall responded to the news on Instagram, posting a video of White’s announcement with the caption, “For you fans.”
It’s time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion.
—Tom Aspinall, UFC Heavyweight Champion
Background on Jon Jones’ Career and Legacy
Jon Jones began his UFC career in August 2008 with a unanimous decision victory over Andre Gusmao, quickly establishing himself as a rising star after wins against Stephan Bonnar and Jake O’Brien. Despite a contested loss to Matt Hamill in 2009, Jones went on to become the youngest UFC champion ever by defeating Mauricio Rua at UFC 128 in 2011.
Jones dominated the light heavyweight division for years, securing a record 16 title fight wins and maintaining a 13-fight winning streak between 2010 and 2016. He defeated numerous top contenders, including Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, Dominick Reyes, and Ciryl Gane after moving to heavyweight.
His final six UFC fights illustrate his dominance: he won against Miocic (UFC 309), Gane (UFC 285), Reyes (UFC 247), Santos (UFC 239), Smith (UFC 235), and Gustafsson (UFC 232). Despite controversies involving suspensions, legal issues, and failed drug tests, Jones’ achievements inside the Octagon remain unmatched.
The Heavyweight Division’s New Era and Future Outlook
Jon Jones’ retirement clears the way for Tom Aspinall, who ends a record-setting reign as the longest-standing interim UFC heavyweight champion. Aspinall’s calls to unify the division had previously gone unanswered due to Jones avoiding negotiations for a title defense.
Fans, frustrated by the inactivity, petitioned for Jones to be stripped of the heavyweight belt. With the retirement now official, Aspinall stands ready to defend his undisputed title and activate a division that has been largely stagnant.
Dana White emphasized Aspinall’s readiness to fight anywhere and assured compensation for missing the anticipated bout against Jones, highlighting his commitment to champion Aspinall and invigorate the heavyweight class.
Jon Jones’ retirement signifies a significant turning point in UFC history, ending a remarkable career and marking the beginning of a new chapter for the heavyweight division under Tom Aspinall’s leadership. The coming months will show how Aspinall fares as the division’s top fighter and whether he can meet the high expectations set by his predecessor’s legacy.