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.

UFC CEO Dana White is still not interested in having Francis Ngannou back. 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,

White insisted that the only time Jones ducked a fight was when he refused to face Chael Sonnen on late notice, which resulted in UFC 151 becoming the first event cancelled by MMA’s premier promotion in September 2012. “No,” White said when asked if Jones had ducked Aspinall by retiring.