Jon Jones, considered by many to be the best fighter in the history of mixed martial arts, has ended his career. The news was confirmed this Saturday by Dana White during a press conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, and shocked the MMA world.

"Jon Jones called us last night and retired. He's officially out. Tom Aspinall is now the UFC heavyweight champion," declared the organization's president. Thus, surprisingly and without prior notice, the cycle of one of the greatest came to an end.

Jones, 37, did not issue any statements following the announcement. His absence in recent months had already generated uncertainty, but a unification fight against the then interim champion, Aspinall, was still expected. With his departure, that duel is ruled out.

A legacy difficult to match

With a record of 28 wins and only one loss (by disqualification), Jones built a legendary career. He was a light heavyweight champion at 23 and, more than a decade later, moved up in weight class to win the heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane in 2023. His last defense was against Stipe Miocic, whom he defeated by technical knockout.

However, his legacy has not been without controversy. Throughout his career, he has faced multiple legal problems, including a conviction for leaving the scene of an accident in 2015 and doping suspensions.

Despite everything, his sporting achievements are unquestionable: 16 victories in championship fights, an absolute record in the UFC, and titles in two different divisions.