Jon Jones announced his retirement from the UFC on Sunday, just as Tom Aspinall was crowned the promotion’s heavyweight champion following his victory over Cody East
Almost a year before the event, Tom Aspinall predicted Jon Jones would retire without ever facing him in the cage.
Jon Jones announced his departure from the UFC overt the weekend, leaving the heavyweight division after just one title defence. As a result, Aspinall, who held the interim title, was named the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The two fighters had set plans for a November clash at Madison Square Garden this year before Jones decided to exit the promotion. A video emerged of Aspinall previously suggesting Jones would avoid a confrontation with him: “Since I won that fight [against Curtis Blaydes], he’s gone completely quiet and he’ll continue to go completely quiet about me until he retires because there’s no way on earth that he’s going to fight me,” Aspinall said. “Not a chance. I will retire Jon Jones without even fighting him.”
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Following Jones’ announcement, Aspinall expressed his thoughts on social media: “The news has broken, I’m sure everyone has seen it,” he commented. “UFC undisputed heavyweight champion of the world moving forward. It is very, very important to me just that I acknowledge everyone quickly who has supported me in, I’m not going to say it’s been a tough time, but a bit of a challenging time over the last 10 or 11 months that I have been inactive due to no fault of my own.”
“Luckily, that’s all behind us now. Massively appreciate the support from everybody. Massively appreciate the support going forward. “I’m going to keep this thing as active as possible. I want to be the best heavyweight ever to walk the face of the earth.
I’m going to defend this thing as much as I possibly can. I’m going to keep you guys entertained, and I’m really going to give back to everybody who’s shown support over the last year, the last five years, the last 10 years. We’re going to see an active, defending undisputed heavyweight champion going forward. Thank you guys.”
Jones had used social media to announce his retirement, saying: ““Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. 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.
“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, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage.
“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.”
