Tom Aspinall has issued his first statement as UFC heavyweight champion. Moments after UFC CEO Dana White dropped the bombshell Saturday that Jon Jones informed the promotion of retirement, Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) reacted with a brief message to his Instagram followers.

Tom Aspinall and the rest of the MMA world had plenty to say following Jon Jones' long-awaited decision to drop the UFC heavyweight title and retire.

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.