Legal issues and controversies littered Jones' career, which was a legendary one inside the octagon. He faced suspensions, removal from the UFC rankings and vacated multiple titles for his failed drug tests, a hit-and-run conviction, a domestic violence arrest and other troubles.

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."

Jon Jones' retirement from mixed martial arts has felt more and more inevitable over the course of this year. And yet, it still blindsided the MMA world when UFC CEO Dana White broke the news on Saturday.