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.

Jones was the heavyweight champion and in discussion to fight interim titleholder Tom Aspinall throughout the year