After a period of unnecessary uncertainty, the world of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC could finally celebrate a new dawn Sunday, as it was announced that Jon Jones, the heavyweight champion, has officially retired, immediately making Tom Aspinall the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.

"Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion," UFC chief Dana White confirmed to reporters in Baku, Indonesia.

Jones, a Mixed martial arts (MMA) legend, by retiring, means interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is elevated to the undisputed title holder," White, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president and CEO, confirmed.

“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White said during a news conference on Saturday in Azerbaijan, where UFC Fight Night was held.

The marquee Jones, who turns 38 this July 19th, has commanded a win-loss record of 28-1 with 11 total knockouts, capturing UFC titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight.

He was in line for a highly anticipated unification bout with Aspinall, 32, who became the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion in November 2023 when an injured Jones could not fight.

Englishman Aspinall (15-3 win-loss in MMA, 11 TKOs, 8-1 win-loss in UFC) posted a message on Instagram after White’s announcement, mocking the lack of action that was a highlight of Jones, last days as champion.

“For you fans. It’s time to get this heavyweight division going,” wrote Aspinall, 32.

“An active undisputed champion.”