Dana White: Jon Jones Retires, Tom Aspinall Is UFC Heavyweight Champ
3 minute readPublished: Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 12:18 am
Jon Jones Retires, Tom Aspinall Crowned UFC Heavyweight Champion
In a surprising turn of events, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Jon Jones has retired from the promotion. The news came after Jones informed the UFC of his decision, ending his reign as the UFC heavyweight champion.
Jones last fought in November 2024, successfully defending his title against Stipe Miocic with a TKO victory. Following Jones's retirement, interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed champion.
White expressed disappointment for Aspinall, acknowledging the time and potential earnings lost due to the delayed title unification bout. However, he also praised Aspinall's professionalism and willingness to fight anyone, anywhere. White indicated that he plans to meet with Aspinall to discuss his future plans.
The announcement follows weeks of speculation regarding Jones's next fight. Earlier this month, White stated that Jones had agreed to fight Aspinall. White also noted the challenges of negotiating with Jones, comparing the process to working with artists.
Aspinall earned the interim heavyweight title in November 2023, defeating Sergei Pavlovich. He then defended his interim crown in July 2024, scoring a knockout win over Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall has been waiting for the title unification bout since Jones's win over Miocic. Aspinall recently became the longest-serving UFC interim champion.
BNN's Perspective:
While the retirement of a champion like Jon Jones is always a loss for the sport, the elevation of Tom Aspinall to undisputed champion offers an exciting new chapter for the UFC heavyweight division. Aspinall has proven his mettle and is a worthy champion. This move allows the UFC to move forward with a fresh face at the top of the division.
Keywords: Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, UFC, heavyweight champion, retirement, Dana White, interim champion, mixed martial arts, MMA, title, fight, Stipe Miocic, Sergei Pavlovich, Curtis Blaydes