Jon Jones, widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, has officially announced his retirement from the UFC at the age of 37. This decision means he has vacated his heavyweight championship title.
Jones` retirement comes despite anticipation for a major title unification bout against British fighter Tom Aspinall. The 37-year-old had seemed poised for this clash following his victory over Stipe Miocic last November at Madison Square Garden.
Despite previous reports that the UFC had met Jones` financial demands for the fight, the former pound-for-pound king ultimately chose to end his remarkable, though often controversial, career without facing Aspinall in the cage.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the news early this morning, stating, “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired and Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
Jones shared a detailed statement regarding his retirement on social media platform X. He wrote, “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.”
He reflected on his career milestones: “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.”
Jones acknowledged the challenges he faced: “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.” He extended thanks to “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,” he added, “thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage.” Looking ahead, Jones stated, “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.”
Following Jones` retirement, Wigan`s Tom Aspinall, 31, reacted to being elevated from interim champion to the undisputed heavyweight king. He posted on Instagram: “For you fans, it`s time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion.”
Jones` legacy in the sport is immense; he is widely regarded as arguably the greatest mixed martial artist ever. His professional MMA career began in 2008 with only eight months of training before the UFC signed him after six fights.
Just nine fights into his UFC tenure, Jones became the youngest champion in promotion history at age 23 by defeating Mauricio `Shogun` Rua for the light heavyweight title at UFC 128.
He dominated the light heavyweight division with a series of successful title defenses against notable opponents including Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, and rival Daniel Cormier.
His reign was interrupted by legal troubles and failed drug tests, leading to him being stripped of the belt multiple times. Despite these issues, he often reclaimed the title or was later cleared of intentional wrongdoing regarding the anti-doping violations.
Jones vacated the light heavyweight title in February 2020 to move to the heavyweight division. After a three-year hiatus, he returned to capture the vacant heavyweight belt by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round.
His final fight took place at UFC 309 last November, where he successfully defended the heavyweight title with a TKO victory over former champion Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden.
While Jones` fight record of 28 wins and only one controversial disqualification loss (against Matt Hamill in 2009) is exceptional and perhaps unmatched, his career is also marked by significant controversies outside the cage, including multiple arrests for DUI and a felony hit-and-run charge.
Percy Harlow