UFC CEO announces Jon Jones’ retirement

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

What a series of shocking events.

Jon Jones has now retired. It’s not a drill, it’s true.

In a press conference on June 22, 2025, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White announced that the living legend called him the other night and decided to hang up his gloves.

After two reporters asked White about Jones’ situation, the MMA executive directly said: “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired.”

The retirement was unexpected after Jones was still clapping back to his bashers on why he still doesn’t want to fight Tom Aspinall, the current interim heavyweight champion, to unify the division.

“I don’t want to say that I’m retired because fighting’s in my blood. 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,” said Jones several days ago in the Full Send Podcast.

Now that White verified what was truly happening under the table, the Jones-Aspinall blockbuster fight is now canceled and will no longer take place.

According to White, Aspinall will now be elevated as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC, following Jones’ retirement.

Aspinall was then quick to share the exciting news to his fans in an Instagram post with the caption: “For you fans. It’s time to get this heavyweight division going. An active Undisputed Champion.”

Jones will forever go down as one of the best MMA fighters the world has ever seen who held an impressive 28-1 win-loss record throughout his 17-year UFC career.

From 2011-2015, Jones reigned as the king of the light heavyweight division before moving up to heavyweight in 2023.

At the age of 23, Jones became UFC’s youngest champion after taking down Mauricio Rua for the light heavyweight belt. In the division, he still holds the records for the most title defenses and most wins.

“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,” wrote Jones on his official social media account.