MMA Legend Jon Jones Announces Retirement: Tom Aspinall Becomes Heavyweight Champion
In a significant announcement, UFC Chairman Dana White confirmed on Saturday that MMA heavyweight champion Jon Jones is officially retiring from competitive fighting. Widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jones’ decision comes as a surprise to many fans.
According to White, Jones communicated his retirement to the UFC on Friday. As a result of this announcement, Tom Aspinall has now been crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion. Jones retires with an impressive record of 28 wins and just 1 loss.
During a news conference in Azerbaijan, White stated, “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
In 2023, Jones made the transition from the light heavyweight division, where he captured the vacant heavyweight championship after defeating Ciryl Gane. He successfully defended his title in November against Stipe Miocic, winning by TKO in the third round at UFC 309 in New York.
Over the past year, Jones has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, even showcasing Trump’s signature dance moves after his victory over Miocic. At the UFC 309 event, Jones expressed his gratitude by saying, “A big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,” which ignited excitement among the crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Following this, Jones rallied the audience to join him in a spirited "USA! USA!" chant, reflecting his pride in being an American champion. He further emphasized this sentiment by stating, “I’m proud to be a great American champion. I’m proud to be a Christian American champion.”
In a memorable moment, Jones approached Trump, who was seated ringside alongside notable figures like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to present him with his UFC title belt.
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About the Author: Jackson Thompson is a seasoned sports writer for Fox News Digital. With previous experience at ESPN and Business Insider, he has covered major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals and has interviewed renowned athletes such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, and Mike Trout.
