According to UFC president Dana White, the deal for Jon Jones, 37, to face Aspinall was “done” before Jones called White on Saturday and retired from mixed martial arts competition.

With Jon Jones retiring and relinquishing his UFC heavyweight title, White was asked if he'd be willing to re-sign Ngannou. Prior to Jones calling it a career, Ngannou's team hinted that the former UFC heavyweight champion could be willing to come back to the octagon.

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.