Jon Jones is broadly thought of one of many biggest fighters in UFC historical past. Bones’ has reportedly requested for $30 million to face interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Nevertheless, former UFC champion Daniel Cormier has expertise in high-profile title fights and is skeptical of Jon Jones’ calls for.
Daniel Cormier Talks UFC Pay
Olympian Daniel Cormier, a two-division champion, mirrored on his personal paydays in a podcast episode, stating that the $30 million Jones is asking for is “nowhere near” what he and different fighters in his period had been incomes.
“He needs $30 million to combat Tom Aspinall? I’ll inform you guys proper now, as an individual that has been concerned in large fights, an individual that has offered pay-per-views, an individual that, at his time, was on the high of the pay scale within the UFC because the heavyweight and light-weight heavyweight champion—$30 million was actually a world away from something we had been making,” Cormier mentioned.
“I bear in mind once I received paid in New York, I received like an enormous bump to take a combat on three weeks’ discover, which in the end grew to become my wage, and other people had been astounded with the quantity. However I’ll inform you, it was a fraction of what that quantity he’s asking for is. It was nowhere close to that.”
Jon Jones
Whereas Cormier acknowledges that Jones’ asking worth could also be inflated, he additionally notes {that a} vital payday within the vary of $15 to $20 million would nonetheless be a serious win for the heavyweight champion.
Jon Jones, who made a profitable transfer to the heavyweight division in 2023, capturing the UFC Heavyweight Championship, has continued to dominate within the division. After defending his title in opposition to Stipe Miocic in November 2024, Jon Jones expressed curiosity in going through Tom Aspinall however indicated {that a} substantial monetary incentive could be wanted to safe the bout.
As negotiations proceed, UFC CEO Dana White stays optimistic that the combat may occur. Jon Jones’ tactic of holding out for a big payday has garnered reward from some, together with former fighter Michael Bisping, who believes it has elevated the demand for the combat. Nevertheless, whether or not or not Jones will safe the $30 million he’s asking for stays unsure.