Jon Jones Steps Down, UFC Crowns Aspinall as New Heavyweight Star

In a long-awaited turn, Jon Jones has officially retired from mixed martial arts, leaving behind a legendary career and opening the gates for a new era. The UFC has now named Tom Aspinall the undisputed heavyweight champion, ending months of suspense and silent power-play. This decision, confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White in Azerbaijan, marks a historic shift in the division. With Jon Jones retired, the spotlight now shines on Aspinall—the first Briton to hold MMA’s most prized crown—as fans await the next storm inside the cage.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Jon Jones Retired: Confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White after UFC Fight Night in Baku.

• Tom Aspinall: Elevated from interim to undisputed heavyweight champion.

• Jones: Claimed heavyweight title in March 2023, last fought Stipe Miocic in November.

• Aspinall: Expected to defend against Ciryl Gane in summer or early autumn.

• Jon Jones’ Net Worth: Estimated at $3 million (Celebrity Net Worth).

• Family: Engaged to Jessie Moses; they share three daughters.

• New Chapter: Aspinall becomes first Brit to hold UFC heavyweight title.

The clouds of uncertainty that had long hovered over the UFC’s heavyweight division have finally cleared. Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history, has officially retired, leaving behind a legacy as well as a vacant title. In response, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Manchester’s Tom Aspinall has been named the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion.

The announcement came during UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking a defining shift in the heavyweight landscape. After months of speculation, delays, and anticipation surrounding a potential showdown between Jones and Aspinall, the UFC has opted to turn the page—and with it, opens a new era.

“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” said Dana White, speaking directly to the media following the event. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”

Jones, 37, captured the heavyweight title in March 2023, but his path as champion was marred by injury and indecision. Though Tom Aspinall secured the interim title the same year, the UFC held off on declaring an undisputed champion, hoping to eventually make the high-profile matchup between the two happen.

That fight, however, never materialized.

When asked if he regretted waiting this long for Jones’ decision, White was clear:
“Do I regret the time that I gave [Jones to decide]? Listen, if you look at what he’s accomplished in the sport, no.”

Jones’ last octagon appearance came in a win over Stipe Miocic in November 2023—a bout many viewed as more ceremonial than competitive, given Miocic’s near-retirement status. Meanwhile, Aspinall, despite earning the interim belt and calling repeatedly for the unification bout, remained sidelined.

Fans grew frustrated. The division stagnated. Negotiations reportedly went nowhere for months.

Now, after seven months of dormancy, the division moves on—with Aspinall at the helm.

Aspinall, 32, has made history as only the third British fighter to win UFC gold, following in the footsteps of Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards. Unlike his predecessors, however, he now holds the sport’s most storied belt—the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Reacting to the news on social media, Aspinall wrote:
“For you fans, it’s time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion.”

The English fighter is expected to return to the octagon this summer or early autumn, with a potential first title defense against French contender Ciryl Gane. Aspinall last fought in July 2024 and, remarkably, has only spent three minutes and 22 seconds in the octagon since 2023. Yet throughout the extended limbo, he remained professional and ready.

White acknowledged that the process had cost Aspinall valuable time and earnings:
“I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and obviously money, but we’ll make it up to him.”

“Tom Aspinall’s a good guy. He’s been incredible through this whole process. He’s been willing to do anything, fight him anywhere at any time… now he’s like ‘I’ll fight anybody—you tell me who, and I’ll fight them.’”

Despite the frustrations, Aspinall now goes down in UFC history as the longest-reigning interim champion before being promoted to full champion.

The UFC’s decision to allow Jones to hold onto the belt during injury and negotiation breaks wasn’t without reason. Jones is a transcendent figure in the sport, and his drawing power afforded him privileges others may not have received. He was even allowed to return against Miocic, bypassing the interim champ entirely—a move that drew criticism but was tolerated due to Jones’ stature.

Yet even Jon Jones’ influence eventually had limits.

The final weeks saw Dana White shift in tone, subtly hinting that a fight with Aspinall might not be in the cards. That suspicion became reality in Baku.

Jones’ personal life has remained relatively private in recent years. He is engaged to longtime partner Jessie Moses, with whom he shares three daughters: Leah (born 2008), Carmen Nicole (2009), and Olivia Haven (2013). The couple has been engaged since at least 2013, though they have not married.

As for Jones’ financial legacy, Celebrity Net Worth places his value at approximately $3 million—modest by some sports standards, but reflective of a career marked by sporadic fights and controversy alongside brilliance.

With “Jon Jones retired” now official, Tom Aspinall prepares to usher in the next phase of UFC’s heavyweight legacy. His championship reign may have been delivered by circumstance, but its legitimacy will be written by what happens next—inside the octagon.

And that next chapter begins soon.