Overview

• Jones retired at UFC Baku after hinting at the decision in recent months, concluding a 17-year run that included multiple light heavyweight and heavyweight titles.
• Aspinall, who held the interim heavyweight belt, was declared the undisputed champion immediately following White’s announcement.
• Tom Aspinall’s father and coach, Andy Aspinall, condemned the midnight text notification and called the promotion’s communication “poor man management.”
• Ciryl Gane’s manager has confirmed active discussions with the UFC for a title fight against Aspinall, positioning the French contender as the leading challenger.
• Analysts have speculated that Jones’s retirement decision may have been influenced by the UFC’s media rights negotiations while other voices, including Daniel Cormier, have floated the possibility of a future comeback.