Jon Jones has put the MMA sphere on alert with his recent comments about his decision to step away from the sport! ‘Bones’ currently holds the undisputed UFC heavyweight title, which he was supposed to defend against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in 2023. However, a pectoral tendon tear derailed Jones’s plans and Tom Aspinall found himself with the chance to grab the interim title, which he did in spectacular fashion against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.

While there hasn’t been an official announcement as of now, Jones and Miocic have been reported to be finally facing off against one another in November at Madison Square Garden. But fans are left wondering: Will this be the last time we see Jon Jones inside the Octagon?

Dana White left in a bind with Jon Jones’s recent update on retirement  

Jon Jones’s last appearance inside the cage came against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in 2023 when he won the vacant undisputed heavyweight championship. Since then, the landscape of the heavyweight division has changed considerably with Tom Aspinall coming into his own as the interim champion with a stunning first-round finish of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Despite the changing landscape, UFC CEO Dana White believes Jon Jones isn’t one to shy away from a challenge, even if it’s from a rising star like Aspinall.

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, White couldn’t help but speculate about what’s next for Jones. He said, “I don’t know what Jon Jones will do after this (Miocic) fight, but I would be shocked if he didn’t want to test himself against (Tom) Aspinall.”

But here’s where things get interesting—Jones himself dropped a bombshell in a recent social media exchange with a fan. Jones stated, “fun fact after this year, Jon Jones will never have to work again, retired at age 37. Winning.”  This news could catch many by surprise, including the UFC boss himself! Aspinall’s rapid rise and undeniable talent have already led many in the MMA world to view him as the top heavyweight in the UFC, despite Jones still holding the title.

So, it remains to be seen if Jones decides to change his mind about retirement after the Miocic fight. Because in the same interview, Dana White had also shared that, “Stipe 100 percent is going to retire after this fight.” With two of the division’s biggest names potentially stepping away, is it finally Tom Aspinall’s time to shine as the next heavyweight star? White isn’t entirely convinced just yet!

UFC boss thinks Aspinall still hasn’t peaked in the UFC  

With his only UFC loss coming via a freak injury against Curtis Blaydes in 2022, Tom Aspinall avenged that setback by successfully defending his interim heavyweight crown against ‘Razor’ at UFC 304. However, an 8-1 record in the promotion and all of his wins coming via a finish still isn’t enough for UFC CEO Dana White to feel as if Aspinall has done all that he is capable of!  

In his chat with Kevin Iole, White was straightforward about his views on Aspinall’s potential. “He’s climbing up the ladder. Everyone says, ‘He deserves this and he deserves that.’ The dude doesn’t deserve anything. He looks great and he looks like he’s going to be the guy”, the UFC boss confessed. 

White also shared that other names like Miocic and Jones have “paid their dues” in the fight game and as such, “Whoever wins that fight, I think they owe it to Aspinall to fight him…“ Whether Jon Jones stays or goes, the heavyweight division is on the brink of a new era, with Aspinall ready to stake his claim as the next dominant force in the UFC. Do you think ‘Bones’ should face Tom Aspinall before retiring? Let us know in the comments below!