Jon Jones is walking away from mixed martial arts.
Following a two-year build to a superfight against interim titleholder Tom Aspinall that never came to fruition as UFC repeatedly refused to strip the inactive “Bones” of his heavyweight championship, the 37-year-old Jones informed the promotion late Friday that he is retiring.
UFC president/CEO Dana White, who had recently given Jones a public deadline of two weeks to decide whether he’s returning, revealed the news Saturday during a press conference following a UFC Fight Night card in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White said. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
A two-division champion and long-time light heavyweight king, Jones (28-1, 1 NC), has attained almost universal status as the greatest fighter in the 32-year history of the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts, at large. Simultaneously, however, Jones’ incredible 17-year, which saw him stripped of UFC titles a record three times due to drug test failures and arrests, has been marred by constant personal transgressions and legal issues, not to mention feuds with White and the promotion.
Jones, who returned from a three-year retirement to capture the vacant title against Cyril Gane in 2023, was expected to finally face Aspinall (15-3) later this year. The 32-year-old native of England, won the interim title in November 2023 against Sergei Pavlovich after Jones pulled out of a scheduled title defense against former champion Stipe Miocic.
Aspinall, who predicted he would retire Jones without even fighting him, went on to defend his interim in July by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in their rematch following the UFC’s controversial decision to allow Jones to return from a 20-month injury layoff to fight Miocic last November. Jones defeated Miocic via third-round TKO despite the fight being criticized due to the 42-year-old Miocic’s layoff of nearly four years.
After the announcement on Saturday, Aspinall sent a message to his fans on social media.
“For you fans. It’s time to get this heavyweight division going,” Aspinall wrote on Instagram. “An active undisputed champion.”
Much of the disappointment surrounding Jones’ retirement concerns both the UFC’s enabling of the situation and the fact that White announced at UFC 316 in June that Jones had previously agreed to the bout. Jones, who has changed his tune repeatedly in recent years surrounding his future, then went on a podcast this week and only added fuel to the fire of not actually fighting Aspinall by playing up retirement talks.
“I don’t want to say that I’m retired because fighting’s in my blood,” Jones told the “Full Send” podcast. “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’ UFC career has been nearly perfect inside the cage. His lone defeat, a 2009 disqualification against Matt Hamill in his fourth Octagon appearance, was the result of a 12-to-6 elbow strike from top position that is now a legal move. Jones walks away having defeated just about every Hall of Famer of the previous era, including Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Glover Teixeira, and Daniel Cormier (twice), with the second result overturned due to a failed drug test in 2017.
On Saturday, White told reporters in Baku that he doesn’t regret giving Jones, who was within two months of approaching Cain Velasquez’s UFC record for the longest heavyweight title reign, an unprecedented amount of time to make his decision.
“Listen, if you look at what [Jones] accomplished in the sport, no. It is what it is,” White said. “I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money but we will make it up to him. Tom Aspinall is a good guy, he has been incredible in this process. He will be a great heavyweight champion for us and I’m excited to work with him.”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
V Itálii přitvrdili. Útok na rozhodčího bude jako napadení policisty
Rozhodčí jako policista? Ano, tak to bude v Itálii fungovat v případě, že bude arbitr napaden. Lepší ochrana sudích spadá do dekretu, který schválil kabinet premiérky Giorgie Meloniové.„S rozhodčími se bude zacházet jako s příslušníky orgánů činných v trestním řízení, aby mohli být útočníci adekvátně potrestaní,“ cituje italského ministra sportu Andrea Abodiho La Gazzetta dello Sport. Je to reakce na zvyšující se počet útoku na rozhodčí v Itálii.Pod zmíněnou ochranu budou spadat i další osoby zodpovědné za udržování pořádku a regulérnosti na sportovních akcích.
Mets break 7-game losing streak with MLB record-tying 7 solo homers, 2 from Juan Soto, in win over Phillies
The New York Mets broke a streak and made some history against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.Facing a strong of seven straight losses, the Mets offense posted seven homers, all solo, in an 11-4 win to move back into a tie with Philadelphia at the top of the NL East. Their record is 46-31.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThose seven solo homers tied the Mets with six other teams for the most in a game in MLB history, per MLB.com's Sarah Langs. Only three of those teams hit only solo homers, like the Mets, who got long balls from Juan Soto twice, Brandon Nimmo twice, Francisco Lindor, Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez.Three of those came in consecutive fashion in the third inning.It was a big game for Soto in particular, going 4-for-5 with two runs and four RBI. It was his eighth career game with […]
Eugênio Leal detona defesa do Fluminense contra Ulsan no Mundial de Clubes: “Sem a bola foi um desastre”
Eugênio Leal, jornalista da ESPN. (Foto: Reprodução / Youtube) Time de Renato Gaúcho tomou a virada no fim do primeiro tempo em duas jogadas com múltiplos erros da zaga, e o jornalista não perdoou O jornalista Eugênio Leal, da ESPN, fez críticas ao Fluminense, mesmo com a vitória por 4 a 2 sobre o Ulsan Hyundai neste sábado (21), pelo Mundial de Clubes. Durante o programa “Linha de Passe”, ele falou em seu comentário que o time foi um desastre sem a bola. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Fluminense tomou a virada no primeiro tempo após estar ganhando de 1 a 0. Em dois contra-ataques, seguidos de erros da zaga tricolor, o Ulsan Hyundai tomou a vantagem por 2 a 1 no intervalo. Assim, deu argumentos para que Eugênio Leal criticasse o time na fase “sem bola” do jogo. Eugênio Leal critica […]
Eugênio Leal detona defesa do Fluminense contra Ulsan no Mundial de Clubes: “Sem a bola foi um desastre”
Eugênio Leal, jornalista da ESPN. (Foto: Reprodução / Youtube) Time de Renato Gaúcho tomou a virada no fim do primeiro tempo em duas jogadas com múltiplos erros da zaga, e o jornalista não perdoou O jornalista Eugênio Leal, da ESPN, fez críticas ao Fluminense, mesmo com a vitória por 4 a 2 sobre o Ulsan Hyundai neste sábado (21), pelo Mundial de Clubes. Durante o programa “Linha de Passe”, ele falou em seu comentário que o time foi um desastre sem a bola. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Fluminense tomou a virada no primeiro tempo após estar ganhando de 1 a 0. Em dois contra-ataques, seguidos de erros da zaga tricolor, o Ulsan Hyundai tomou a vantagem por 2 a 1 no intervalo. Assim, deu argumentos para que Eugênio Leal criticasse o time na fase “sem bola” do jogo. Eugênio Leal critica […]
Jon Jones faces criminal charge amid UFC retirement for allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident
Getty Images Hours after UFC president Dana White announced heavyweight champion Jon Jones retired from mixed martial arts, the Albuquerque Journal reported Jones faces another legal issue. A criminal summons accuses Jones of leaving the scene of a traffic accident in New Mexico in February, and he faces a misdemeanor charge for the incident. He is scheduled to appear in court July 24 for a bond arraignment.Albuquerque police responded to reports of a crash in February when they approached a woman in the passenger seat of one of the involved cars. The woman said Jones was the driver of the vehicle and that he fled the scene on foot. She called Jones, and police noted that the man on the line -- who did not answer direct questions regarding his identity -- "appeared to be heavily intoxicated and made statements […]
Jon Jones Announces UFC Retirement, Tom Aspinall Named Heavyweight Champion
<!--> Jon Jones officially announced his retirement from UFC on Saturday night."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," Jones wrote on social media."From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. 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, […]
Related
V Itálii přitvrdili. Útok na rozhodčího bude jako napadení policisty
Rozhodčí jako policista? Ano, tak to bude v Itálii fungovat v případě, že bude arbitr napaden. Lepší ochrana sudích spadá do dekretu, který schválil kabinet premiérky Giorgie Meloniové.„S rozhodčími se bude zacházet jako s příslušníky orgánů činných v trestním řízení, aby mohli být útočníci adekvátně potrestaní,“ cituje italského ministra sportu Andrea Abodiho La Gazzetta dello Sport. Je to reakce na zvyšující se počet útoku na rozhodčí v Itálii.Pod zmíněnou ochranu budou spadat i další osoby zodpovědné za udržování pořádku a regulérnosti na sportovních akcích.
Mets break 7-game losing streak with MLB record-tying 7 solo homers, 2 from Juan Soto, in win over Phillies
The New York Mets broke a streak and made some history against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.Facing a strong of seven straight losses, the Mets offense posted seven homers, all solo, in an 11-4 win to move back into a tie with Philadelphia at the top of the NL East. Their record is 46-31.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThose seven solo homers tied the Mets with six other teams for the most in a game in MLB history, per MLB.com's Sarah Langs. Only three of those teams hit only solo homers, like the Mets, who got long balls from Juan Soto twice, Brandon Nimmo twice, Francisco Lindor, Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez.Three of those came in consecutive fashion in the third inning.It was a big game for Soto in particular, going 4-for-5 with two runs and four RBI. It was his eighth career game with […]
Eugênio Leal detona defesa do Fluminense contra Ulsan no Mundial de Clubes: “Sem a bola foi um desastre”
Eugênio Leal, jornalista da ESPN. (Foto: Reprodução / Youtube) Time de Renato Gaúcho tomou a virada no fim do primeiro tempo em duas jogadas com múltiplos erros da zaga, e o jornalista não perdoou O jornalista Eugênio Leal, da ESPN, fez críticas ao Fluminense, mesmo com a vitória por 4 a 2 sobre o Ulsan Hyundai neste sábado (21), pelo Mundial de Clubes. Durante o programa “Linha de Passe”, ele falou em seu comentário que o time foi um desastre sem a bola. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Fluminense tomou a virada no primeiro tempo após estar ganhando de 1 a 0. Em dois contra-ataques, seguidos de erros da zaga tricolor, o Ulsan Hyundai tomou a vantagem por 2 a 1 no intervalo. Assim, deu argumentos para que Eugênio Leal criticasse o time na fase “sem bola” do jogo. Eugênio Leal critica […]
Eugênio Leal detona defesa do Fluminense contra Ulsan no Mundial de Clubes: “Sem a bola foi um desastre”
Eugênio Leal, jornalista da ESPN. (Foto: Reprodução / Youtube) Time de Renato Gaúcho tomou a virada no fim do primeiro tempo em duas jogadas com múltiplos erros da zaga, e o jornalista não perdoou O jornalista Eugênio Leal, da ESPN, fez críticas ao Fluminense, mesmo com a vitória por 4 a 2 sobre o Ulsan Hyundai neste sábado (21), pelo Mundial de Clubes. Durante o programa “Linha de Passe”, ele falou em seu comentário que o time foi um desastre sem a bola. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Fluminense tomou a virada no primeiro tempo após estar ganhando de 1 a 0. Em dois contra-ataques, seguidos de erros da zaga tricolor, o Ulsan Hyundai tomou a vantagem por 2 a 1 no intervalo. Assim, deu argumentos para que Eugênio Leal criticasse o time na fase “sem bola” do jogo. Eugênio Leal critica […]
Jon Jones faces criminal charge amid UFC retirement for allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident
Getty Images Hours after UFC president Dana White announced heavyweight champion Jon Jones retired from mixed martial arts, the Albuquerque Journal reported Jones faces another legal issue. A criminal summons accuses Jones of leaving the scene of a traffic accident in New Mexico in February, and he faces a misdemeanor charge for the incident. He is scheduled to appear in court July 24 for a bond arraignment.Albuquerque police responded to reports of a crash in February when they approached a woman in the passenger seat of one of the involved cars. The woman said Jones was the driver of the vehicle and that he fled the scene on foot. She called Jones, and police noted that the man on the line -- who did not answer direct questions regarding his identity -- "appeared to be heavily intoxicated and made statements […]
Jon Jones Announces UFC Retirement, Tom Aspinall Named Heavyweight Champion
<!--> Jon Jones officially announced his retirement from UFC on Saturday night."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," Jones wrote on social media."From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. 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, […]
Be the first to leave a comment