Jon Jones. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

New UFC champion crowned after Jon Jones' retirement

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 10:15 PM ET

UFC CEO Dana White announced on Saturday that Jon Jones, arguably the greatest mixed martial arts fighter to ever step into the octagon, has retired from fighting. Jones' retirement comes as White was working to schedule a heavyweight title fight between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall.

Jones' retirement now elevates Aspinall to undisputed heavyweight champion.

White said Jones called them on Friday to inform UFC of his decision.

Dana White: Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.#UFC pic.twitter.com/lh5okeD5cv
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 21, 2025

Aspinall made an Instagram post on Saturday, shortly after White's announcement, saying, "For you fans. It's time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion."

Aspinall is 15-3 in his UFC career.

As for Jones, he ends his career with a 28-1 record with one no contest. It is one of the most dominant careers in the history of the sport, with his lone defeat coming all the way back in 2009 against Matt Hamill. That loss was by disqualification for illegal elbows.

Jones' last fight came in UFC 309 back in November when he defeated Stipe Miocic by TKO. In that fight, Jones successfully defended his heavyweight title crown and broke the record for overall title defenses (12) in his career. It was also the 11th knockout win of his career.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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