Jon Jones' retirement from mixed martial arts has felt more and more inevitable over the course of this year. And yet, it still blindsided the MMA world when UFC CEO Dana White broke the news on Saturday.

His post comes after UFC president Dana White announced earlier Saturday that Jones officially retired from the promotion, making Tom Aspinall the new heavyweight champion. "Jon Jones called us last night and retired," White told reporters at a press conference. "Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."

UFC President Dana White said Saturday that Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champ and former light heavyweight champion, has retired. Tom Aspinall, the former interim champ, is now the UFC's heavyweight champion, White said.