Aspinall upgraded to undisputed UFC champion as Jones retires

Tom Aspinall of Manchester has been upgraded to the title of undisputed heavyweight champion following the UFC’s announcement that Jon Jones had retired.

Seven months of uncertainty in the heavyweight division are now over thanks to the decision made by Dana White following a UFC Fight Night in Azerbaijan.

Aspinall, who previously served as interim champion for 19 months, is just the third Briton to win the UFC.

“Jon Jones called us last night and called us,” White said.

Jon Jones has become a retired person. The UFC’s heavyweight champion is Tom Aspinall.

Do I regret the amount of time I gave Jones to make his decision? Listen, no. based on what he has accomplished in the sport.

Despite Aspinall winning the interim belt the year before, Jones, 37, won the heavyweight title in March 2023 and lost to Stipe Miocic in November.

Aspinall and Jones made up their minds to fight, but the American rejected the UFC’s offer.

Jones, who turns 38 in July, is regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and said that his “legacy” wouldn’t extend to Aspinall fights.

For you fans, it’s time to start this heavyweight division, Aspinall said in response to the news on his social media account. a seasoned champion in his field.

The Englishman will likely face Ciryl Gane, the country’s top contender, in the title fight this summer or the beginning of autumn.

Aspinall has only spent three minutes and 22 seconds in the octagon since 2023 and hasn’t fought since July 2024.

We’ll make up for Tom, White said, “I obviously feel bad for him because we lost all that time and money.”

Tom Aspinall is a good man, he says. He has been incredible throughout this entire process.

Aspinall will go down in history as the UFC’s longest-reigning interim champion.

Fans will be left wondering why the UFC let it go for so long because of uncertainty and desperate negotiations that have brought the division to a standstill for seven months.

White has repeatedly argued that Aspinall and Jones would face off since November. The UFC president finally gave the impression that they weren’t going to be able to persuade Jones until the final two weeks.

However, “Bones” Jones, a star, was given the opportunity to keep the belt despite a protracted injury layoff and to fight retiring legend Miocic on his comeback rather than Aspinall.

Given the circumstances, these allowances were understandable in many ways, but they also come as a result of Jones’ own diktat.

The UFC has reached its limit, though, and even his power is. A peak-level Englishman will be in charge of the heavyweight division, opening a new chapter.

Aspinall becomes the first Briton to hold the UFC heavyweight title, which is undoubtedly the most sought-after title in MMA, following Leon Edwards and Michael Bisping’s footsteps.

Although Gane, who has two titles, will need a first defense, the Mancunian should now be rewarded for playing the devoted company man.