If you’ve been away from the MMA world for a few months, you probably expect to hear that Jon Jones is still sitting on the throne. It makes sense. For a long time, the "is he or isn't he retired" dance was the only thing happening in the big-boy division. But as we move through January 2026, the landscape has finally shifted. The era of uncertainty and "interim" asterisks is over.
The undisputed UFC heavyweight champion is Tom Aspinall.
It wasn't a clean or easy transition. Honestly, it was a bit of a mess. For a year and a half, the division felt like it was stuck in a holding pattern while the greatest of all time, Jon Jones, chased a legacy fight with Stipe Miocic. But in the summer of 2025, the UFC finally moved on.
How Tom Aspinall took the undisputed crown
For a long time, Aspinall was the "interim" champ, which in the UFC usually means you're just a glorified number-one contender. He won that belt by deleting Sergei Pavlovich in 2023 and then defended it—an almost unheard-of move for an interim title—against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024.
The real turning point came in June 2025.
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Jon Jones, after much speculation following his TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in late 2024, officially announced his retirement. It happened at a press conference in Azerbaijan. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that "Bones" called him up, said he was done, and hung up the gloves for good. With the greatest fighter in history exiting the stage, the UFC didn't waste any time. They immediately elevated Aspinall from interim status to the undisputed, 100-percent-real heavyweight champion.
The current state of the heavyweight division (It’s complicated)
Being the champ hasn't been all sunshine for the big Brit. Right now, as we sit in early 2026, the division is in a weird spot because of what happened at UFC 321 in October 2025.
Aspinall was set for his first "undisputed" defense against the technical Frenchman, Ciryl Gane. People were hyped. It was supposed to be the moment Aspinall proved he was the true king. Instead, the fight ended in a "No Contest." Less than five minutes into the first round, an accidental eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue.
So, while Tom Aspinall is definitely the champion, he’s currently sidelined.
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- Champion: Tom Aspinall (England)
- Ranked #1 Contender: Ciryl Gane
- The Rising Threat: Alexander Volkov
- The Wildcard: Alex Pereira (The Light Heavyweight champ who keeps teasing a jump up)
Aspinall is currently recovering from that eye injury. There’s been a lot of talk—and some annoying fan backlash—suggesting he should have fought through it, but medical professionals and the UFC staff made the call. It’s a frustrating way to start a title reign, but the history books don't care about "how," they only care about "who."
Why the Jon Jones shadow still looms
You can't talk about the current champion without mentioning the guy who just left. Jon Jones finished his career with a ridiculous 28-1 record. His only loss was a disqualification for "12-6" elbows back when the rules were different.
When Jones retired in June 2025, he left behind a vacuum.
A lot of purists still argue that Aspinall won't be "the guy" until he beats the man who never lost the belt in the cage. But combat sports move fast. Jones is 38 now. He's moved into the "legend" phase of his life, and the UFC is banking on Aspinall’s freakish speed and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt to lead the new generation.
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What to expect for the rest of 2026
The big question everyone is asking right now is: Who does Aspinall fight when his eye heals?
Most insiders think the UFC is going to run back the Gane fight. It has to happen. You can’t leave a No Contest hanging over the title like that. However, there’s a massive "Poatan" shaped shadow over the whole thing. Alex Pereira, the current Light Heavyweight champion, has been hinted at as a potential opponent for Aspinall.
If that happens, it would be one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Imagine the power of Pereira against the well-rounded athleticism of Aspinall.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you're following the title picture this year, keep your eyes on the UFC 324 card. While Aspinall is out, the UFC is likely to set up a "number one contender" bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Alexander Volkov.
- Watch the Rankings: Don't just look at the top; the bottom half of the Top 10 is shifting rapidly with new talent like Jailton Almeida.
- Injury Timelines: Aspinall is expected back in the Octagon by Summer 2026.
- Legacy Talk: Stop comparing Aspinall to Jones. They are different beasts from different eras. Enjoy the fact that the belt is finally being defended (or attempted to be defended) by an active, young champion.
The heavyweight throne is no longer vacant or shared. It belongs to Salford’s own Tom Aspinall, even if the road to getting there was one of the strangest paths in UFC history.