Jon Jones Retires, Aspinall Named Undisputed Champion

Jon Jones, the former two-division UFC champion, has announced his retirement after months of stalled negotiations over a heavyweight title unification fight with Tom Aspinall, resulting in Aspinall being promoted to undisputed champion. Jones' departure has drawn widespread criticism for delaying the division for over 500 days, with fans and analysts accusing him of avoiding a challenging matchup. UFC CEO Dana White and the organization have faced backlash for their handling of the situation, while speculation continues about a possible Jones comeback. Peers such as Gordon Ryan and Khabib Nurmagomedov have praised Jones as the best in UFC history, but his legacy is complicated by anti-doping violations and a recent criminal charge for fleeing an accident scene. As the division moves forward, suggested next opponents for Aspinall include Ciryl Gane and potentially Francis Ngannou. Jones retires as one of the sport's most decorated and controversial champions, leaving debate over his ultimate place in MMA history.