It started with a bang and went out with a whimper.
After months of flirting with the idea, Jon Jones, the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight king, has officially retired, according to UFC CEO Dana White.
“Jon Jones called us last night and retired,” White announced at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference. “Jon Jones is officially retired and Tom Aspinall is now the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
The news out of Baku, Azerbaijan, is stunning to mixed martial arts fans around the world. Despite Jones mentioning his lack of desire to fight and long periodic stretches of inactivity, fans were determined to see Jones defend his UFC heavyweight championship against the interim champion, Aspinall.