
Jon Jones RETIRES from UFC aged 37 after legendary career as Tom Aspinall is named new heavyweight champion
JON JONES has vacated his UFC heavyweight title and retired from mixed martial arts.
The 37-year-old had been on course for a mammoth title unification fight with Brit Tom Aspinall since last November.
3
3
3
Jones agreed to the historic showdown after the UFC met his demands to be paid "f**k you money" but started flirting with the possibility of retirement.
And the former pound-for-pound king has opted to call time of his illustrious and chequered career without sharing the cage with Aspinal.
UFC supremo Dana White announced Jones' retirement in the early hours of the morning, saying.
He said: "Jon Jones called us last night and retired.
READ MORE UFC NEWS
Jon Jones is officially retired and Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."
Jones confirmed his retirement in a lengthy statement on X: "Today, I'm officially announcing my retirement from the UFC.
"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.
"From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport.
Most read in MMA
"Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I'll cherish forever.
"I've faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.
"I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter.
"Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we've shared inside and outside the cage.
"As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I'm excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways.
"Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come."
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video
.
Like us on Facebook at

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd submit HUGE second offer for Bryan Mbeumo as desperate Ruben Amorim accelerates summer transfer plans
MANCHESTER UNITED have submitted a second bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo. The Red Devils had a £55million offer turned down by Brentford earlier this month. 1 Man Utd have tabled a second offer for Bryan Mbeumo worth in excess of £60m Credit: Getty But club officials have now tabled a new and improved second proposal. SunSport understands the latest offer is worth in excess of £60m. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at


The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: Three big-price fancies who can spring a shock on Tuesday
SUN Racing tackles Tuesday's action looking for some big-price winners. Back a horse by clicking their odds. LONGSHOT BANTZ (2.15 Beverley) He is pretty consistent at this low level and went close again at Redcar last time. He looks overpriced under a good 5lb claimer. EACH-WAY THIEF STRIKE (8.15 Newbury) He has winning form here and shaped well when just denied at Salisbury latest. SPANISH STAR (8.50 Newbury) He was just a length away in a similar contest at Salisbury last time out and can make the frame again. Most read in Horse Racing FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.


Irish Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Luke Littler bites back at darts star over comments in latest outburst
Luke Littler didn't hold back on social media as he delivered a sharp retort to veteran Neil Duff over comments he made about England's World Cup of Darts performance. Littler, along with world champ Luke Humphries, formed a dream team at the tournament in Germany but were knocked out early, following an 8-4 defeat to the hosts. The result triggered a flurry of critiques from past players and viewers, prompting Littler and Humphries to respond fiercely. And Littler wasn't finished yet, responding again after Duff's jibe at England's downfall. Duff had gloated on Facebook with the post: "How's England doing?" after the nation's stumble. But, when Duff himself floundered in the Modus Super Series, Littler seized his chance for revenge. Upon Duff's 4-1 loss to Martin Thomas of Wales, Littler took to Instagram and juxtaposed Duff's mocking Facebook post with the defeat screenshots and a sneering remark of his own: "How's Neil Duff doing?". This was the latest in a string of heated exchanges involving Littler, who earlier took aim at darts legend Dennis Priestley over comments regarding his and Humphries' MBE nominations, reports the Express. As part of the King's Birthday Honours, the pair were awarded for their contributions to the sport of darts. However, Priestley, a two-time world champion, voiced his opinion: "To be brutally honest, I don't think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet. "I think in time they could've done enough to warrant it, but it feels very early; they have both won one World Championship each and are still young in their careers. "Littler has been recognised for raising the popularity of darts, which is great, but he can still do so much more. "If he is getting an MBE this soon, then you'd have to think he is on the right path to a knighthood; nothing would surprise me now." Priestley's biting remark that Littler and Humphries "let their country down" at the World Cup appeared to have struck a chord with Littler more than anything. The 18-year-old shot back in a now-deleted Instagram story, saying: "Doesn't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did... that's what I would say anyway. Humphries chimed in on X (formerly Twitter), posting: "Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke. "I didn't let my country down last year, though, did I? One bad game for us, and we will be back next year to go again. Let's move on now."