Jon Jones has remained largely inactive as the second-longest reigning heavyweight champion in UFC history, intentionally avoiding a fight with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall. As of today, 840 days after becoming a two-division champion by defeating Cyril Gane, UFC president Dana White has confirmed Jones’ retirement despite the financial incentive of a much-anticipated unification fight with Aspinall.

In a disappointing moment for the UFC, White announced Jones’ retirement at a press conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, informing the public that Aspinall is now the undisputed champion, after being forced to wait for over two years.

🚨 TOM ASPINALL IS THE OFFICIAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP [@DanaWhite](https://twitter.com/danawhite?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) has announced that Jon Jones has RETIRED, thus elevating [@AspinallMMA](https://twitter.com/AspinallMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) to become the heavyweight champ 🏆 

Jones actively delayed this fight, damaging Aspinall’s career in the process. There exists an unfortunate truth: it’s not just one party responsible. The blame must also extend to Dana White and the UFC for overly protecting Jones, instead creating an environment where the heavyweight division has been stalled and fans have been deprived of the matchups they deserve.

In years gone by, other former champions like Germaine de Randamie and Nicco Montano faced their own issues related to title calls and defenses. The UFC’s governance in these recent scenarios has, regrettably, often prioritized contracts and business interests over the fighters and competition.

Aspinall now holds the championship title, and this situation raises questions about the future of the heavyweight division and the direction of the UFC as a whole.