Tom Aspinall’s Hilarious 2-Word Reaction to Jon Jones Retirement

Tom Aspinall gave a hilarious response when asked how it felt to have been elevated to the UFC’s latest undisputed champion at heavyweight, following Dana White’s stunning announcement Saturday that the former title-holder Jon Jones had retired from the sport of mixed martial arts forever.

“Jon Jones is officially retired,” UFC boss White told reporters at a post-fight press conference. “Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”

The news brings to an end protracted fight negotiations between Jones and his clear No.1 challenger Aspinall, who held the interim belt at the time. Instead of fighting Aspinall, Jones seemingly preferred to walk away from the premier mixed martial arts organization, and the sport. It means Aspinall has now been appointed the division’s new king, and his reaction was typical of how he’s carried himself since entering the UFC, and finishing everyone he’s ever fought.

Dana-White-Reveals-Fight-That-Would-Do-8-Million-PPV-Buys

UFC Makes Extraordinary Gesture to Tom Aspinall After Jon Jones Retired

Dana White has made an extraordinary gesture to UFC champ Tom Aspinall now Jon Jones is retired.

Tom Aspinall’s 2-Word Reaction to News he’s Now UFC King

Jon Jones retirement means UFC elevated Aspinall to full champion rather than interim

MMA reporter Oscar Willis asked Aspinall for his response to White’s announcement of Jones’s retirement, which ensured the British slugger was now the full UFC champion.

The two-word statement reflects Aspinall’s nonchalant Northern personality, but he gave a broader comment when posting on his official Instagram account.

“For you fans — it’s time to get this heavyweight division going,” Aspinall said. “[I’m going to be] an active undisputed champion.”

Aspinall said his reign would be active, which would be a stark contrast to the previous one. Jones won the UFC heavyweight championship in his debut in the division, when he obliterated Ciryl Gane in a single round at UFC 285 on March 2023. He was absent from the sport for 20 months, all the while avoiding Aspinall, to instead face Stipe Miocic in November 2024, who, though a former champion, had not fought in four years.

It is unclear who Aspinall will face in his first fight as UFC champion, however, White said this weekend that he and Aspinall will meet during International Fight Week ahead of UFC 317 to talk about what’s next.

Aspinall has already beaten Andrei Arlovski, Serghei Spivac, Alexander Volkov, Sergei Pavlovich, and Curtis Blaydes but is not shy of challengers ready to wrest the championship from his waist. As Aspinall has already beaten the No.3-ranked fighter in the division, as well as the No.4, and No.5, the No.2-ranked Gane appears a suitable opponent. However, a super-fight against Alex Pereira could also prove attractive.