Tom Aspinall crowned UFC undisputed heavyweight champion after Dana White announces Jon Jones retirement

Tom Aspinall has been crowned the UFC undisputed heavyweight champion after Dana White announced the retirement of former title holder Jon Jones at the age of 37. The announcement means Aspinall is now the third British UFC champion in the promotion's history, following in the footsteps of Leon Edwards and Michael Bisping. White made the announcement at a UFC Fight Night event in Azerbaijan.

Tom Aspinall has been crowned the UFC undisputed heavyweight champion after Dana White announced the retirement of Jon Jones.

English fighter Aspinall has been interim champion for 19 months but has been holding out for a highly anticipated bout with his heavyweight rival.

The 32-year-old from Manchester is now just the third British UFC champion, following in the footsteps of Leon Edwards and Michael Bisping.

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Jones had been UFC heavyweight champion since defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, but he has not defended his crown since his first title defence at UFC 309 in November 2024.

White insists he does not regret the amount of time he gave Jones to put his title on the line despite previously insisting that a fight between the 37-year-old and Aspinall would go ahead.

"Jon Jones called us last night and retired," White said after a UFC Fight Night event in Azerbaijan.

Highlights: Rountree outclasses Hill in Baku main event

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.

"Do I regret the time that I gave [Jones to decide]? Listen, if you look at what he's accomplished in the sport, no."

Aspinall defeated Marcin Tybura in his first fight back from injury in July 2023 before becoming interim UFC heavyweight champion following a victory against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023.

He did defend the interim title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024 but has reportedly been waiting for the chance at a dream fight against Jones since then.

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White admits he feels bad that Aspinall had to wait so long to be crowned champion, but insists he will make it up to him.

"I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and obviously money, but we'll make it up to him," added White.

"Tom Aspinall's a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process.

"He's been willing to do anything, fight him anywhere at any time and do this, and now he's like 'I'll fight anybody - you tell me who and I'll fight them'."

Which UFC fights are available on TNT Sports?

TNT Sports will bring you live coverage of every UFC card from Las Vegas and beyond.

For the latest information on UFC fights on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is a list of confirmed events that are set to be showcased. All events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, discovery+.

• UFC Fight Night: Jamahal Hill v Khalil Rountree Jr - Sunday, June 21, 2025
• UFC 317: Ilia Topuria v Charles Oliveira - Sunday, June 29, 2025

A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office.

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