UFC president and CEO Dana White confirmed on Saturday that Jones, 37, has handed in his cards after months of speculation about the unification bout, much of it fanned by the heavyweight champ himself.

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."

Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, has been involved in a prolonged standoff for the past year with UFC heavyweight interim champion Tom Aspinall. While Jones remained noncommittal,