Tom Aspinall went to social media to share a message to fans after it was confirmed that he is the new UFC heavyweight champion.
The rapidly rising British star has been interim champion for almost two years, but has not succeeded in getting a unification with Jon Jones. And tonight Dana White confirmed to the media that Jones retired, making Aspinall the new undisputed champion.
It is a welcome moment for fans and Aspinall, who was out of operation for almost a year when he waited for the decision about the future of Jones. He is now undisputed champion, with a whole series of challengers waiting for him on top of the heavyweight division.
Tom Aspinall sends the first message as UFC Uitniped Champion
Tom Aspinall went to Instagram to guarantee fans that he will be an active champion after he has officially degrading Jones without ever fighting him. The Brit had sworn to do that precisely for months and finally got his wish last night when the legendary world champion hung up his gloves in private.
Aspinall shared a photo of himself with his belt, which is now elevated to undisputed, in addition to the caption: “For your fans. It is time to let this heavyweight division go. An active undisputed champion.”
Commentators were delighted, with a joke that he “retired” the “goat” as you said! That is a nice victory to add to the CV sir. “Aspinall can now concentrate on the challenge of a new top candidate, which is assumed that the number one is Ciryl Gane.
Dana White confirmed that Jon Jones has withdrawn from UFC
Tonight during a press conference at UFC Baku, Dana White announced that Jon Jones had made the decision to hang his gloves. He debates about the idea since his last fight, but apparently called last night to confirm it.
The official page of the UFC has shown a clip of white in which he tells reporters: “Jon Jones called and retired last night. Jon Jones is officially retired and Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”
White's News is welcome to fans who want to see Aspinall fighting for more than a year. He won his interim -rim in November 2023 and even defended it against Curtis Blaydes last summer before he was forced to wait for Jones.