“Bones” has officially retired (again).
In a stunning late afternoon announcement from Baku, Azerbaijan, UFC CEO, Dana White, just revealed that his enigmatic Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, has officially retired from mixed martial arts (MMA), paving the way for interim roost-ruler, Tom Aspinall, to finally be crowned UFC’s undisputed Heavyweight champion.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White said. “Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the Heavyweight champion of UFC.”
White confirmed the news following months of speculation and social media drama surrounding Jones’ inactivity and reluctance to face Aspinall in a title unification bout.
Aspinall might need to take up a second job as a fortune teller because he predicted he would retire Jones without ever fighting him … and he did just that.
Nevertheless, Jones has been widely regarded among the greatest fighters of all time, if not the best. And he leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to beat inside (and outside) of the cage, whether it be multiple arrests, drug failures or multiple title defenses in different weight classes.
Jones exits the sport with the most UFC title fights (17), most successful title defenses in UFC history (12), most consecutive wins in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (13), and longest unbeaten streak in UFC history (20).
“Bones” last competed at UFC 309 back in Nov. 2024 (watch highlights), where he defended his Heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic.
Legacy secured?
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