Jon Jones retires, Tom Aspinall now the undisputed champion, says UFC's Dana White

Straits Times

3 hours ago

Jon Jones has compiled a 28-1 record (11 TKOs) in capturing UFC titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight. PHOTO: LAMC PRODUCTIONS
Jon Jones retires, Tom Aspinall now the undisputed champion, says UFC's Dana White
BAKU – Jon Jones, a legend in mixed martial arts, has retired and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been elevated to the undisputed title holder, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president and chief executive officer Dana White said on May 21.
'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said during a press conference in Azerbaijan, where UFC Fight Night was held.
'Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.'
Jones, who turns 38 on July 19, has compiled a 28-1 record (11 TKOs) in capturing UFC titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight.
He was in line for a highly anticipated unification bout with Aspinall, 32, who became the UFC's interim heavyweight champion in November 2023 when an injured Jones could not fight.
Englishman Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 11 TKOs, 1 K0, 8-1 UFC) posted a message on Instagram after White's announcement.
'For you fans. It's time to get this heavyweight division going,' wrote Aspinall, 32. 'An active undisputed champion.'
Jones last fought on Nov 16, 2024, winning by a third-round TKO over Stipe Miocic. Jones has won six consecutive bouts since a no contest with Daniel Cormier on July 29, 2017.
White's announcement countered Jones' own words on June 19 when he appeared on the 'Full Send' podcast.
'I don't want to say that I'm retired because fighting's in my blood,' Jones said on the podcast, per multiple media reports.
'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 think I will fight again. Where the future of combat sports is going, it's going to be amazing when I pop back up.'
Jones has had a chequered history out of the octagon, where he became the youngest UFC title holder at age 23 with a win over Mauricio Rua for the 93kg crown.
Jones, who is 16-0 in UFC title bouts, has dealt with legal issues was well as a year-long suspension in 2016 for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs – a result he disputes.
Meanwhile, in the octagon, former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr earned a dominant unanimous decision against Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Fight Night, taking the cards 49-46, 50-45, 50-45.
Utilizing leg kicks and knocking the former light heavyweight champion down on several occasions, Rountree (15-6 MMA) is open to multiple options for his next fight, as long as he remains in the light heavyweight title picture.
'I didn't come in here underestimating Jamahal,' Rountree said.
Meanwhile, Hill (12-4 MMA) has lost three in a row and is searching for his first win since January 2023.
The co-main event went the way of hometown lightweight Rafael Fiziev (13-4 MMA), winning a unanimous decision against Ignacio Bahamondes 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 for his first victory since July 2022. REUTERS
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