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

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall was a done deal with the fight being targeted for the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden in New York but then the reigning heavyweight champion changed his mind and decided to retire from the sport instead.