Khabib Nurmagomedov sent Jon Jones new 'not friends' message with surprising twist

Khabib Nurmagomedov has sent a new 'not friends' message to recently retired UFC fighter Jon Jones after he hung up his gloves for good.

Dana White announced last week that Jones had informed him about his retirement leading to Tom Aspinall being given the heavyweight championship belt.

Jones and Aspinall had been involved in talks for a fight for month. Ultimately, Jones decided that he was going to retire after a glorious UFC career.

The 37-year-old had a sensational record where he lost only one fight in his career, which came from a disqualification in a fight against Matt Hamill in 2009.

Jones and Nurmagomedov never fought against each other due to being in different weight categories, but the latter has in the past said that he could not be friends with him because of his rivalry with the Russian's friend Daniel Cormier.

However, after the news of Jones' retirement, Nurmagomedov has posted a message for the legendary fighter.

Jon Jones retired from UFC [Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC]

Nurmagomedov said: "My congratulations legend, even we was not friends but you are the best who ever do it in UFC history and you inspire millions of people around the world you have nothing more to prove in this sport."

Jones' retirement has led to people congratulating him on his career, while many have also expressed disappointment on him retiring without fighting against Aspinall.

It comes after British fighter Aspinall ranked Jones as a legend alongside Nurmagomedov in his list of the greatest UFC fighters.

Announcing his retirement, Jones said: "Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.

"From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever.

"I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person."

Tom Aspinall, the new heavyweight champ of the UFC (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

He added: "I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage.

"As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come."

Since his retirement, Jones has been faced with criminal charge over a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident.