Overview

• Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has announced a date and location for his next UFC bout, declaring Jon Jones effectively retired.
• Undisputed champion Jon Jones states he and Aspinall agreed to wait for UFC’s formal announcement, citing legal restrictions on commenting.
• A fan-driven Change.org petition demanding Jones be stripped of his title has amassed over 180,000 signatures as frustration grows.
• Fighters such as Alexander Volkov have indicated readiness to step in for a title shot as the heavyweight division remains stagnant.
• UFC president Dana White has not confirmed a date for the long-promised unification bout, intensifying calls for organizational clarity.