According to a source, the UFC presented a substantial financial offer to Jon Jones for a potential fight against Tom Aspinall.
The premier mixed martial arts promotion has been working towards setting up this major heavyweight clash since November but has yet to finalize the agreement.
Credit: INSTAGRAM@TOMASPINALL
Credit: GETTY
Credit: GETTY
Reports indicate that UFC President Dana White and the promotion agreed to Jones` demand for “F**K YOU MONEY” for this significant heavyweight title unification bout.
Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan initially claimed Jones sought £22 million ($30m) to unify the belts, a figure White quickly refuted.
However, according to former title challenger Chael Sonnen, Jones would earn a guaranteed purse of £8.9 million ($12m) for stepping into the octagon with Aspinall.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen stated, “I don’t believe Jon Jones has turned down this fight. Whatever that number was, and I believe to be $12 million, in case you’re interested. Got my own sources.”
He continued, “The UFC said, ‘Okay’. Jon’s cheque at the end of the night will be the biggest cheque he’s ever got. It will be the biggest cheque anyone has ever got from the UFC. It will beat out [Brock] Lesnar, it will beat out Georges [St-Pierre]. Ronda Rousey’s weren’t as big as they embellished, it will crush hers.”
Jones, aged 37, has recently caused speculation among MMA fans by suggesting potential retirement, which would mean foregoing the largest potential earning of his career.
Dana White indicated that Jones` hesitation regarding retirement comes after he had already “AGREED” to fight the British heavyweight, Aspinall.
Speaking during the UFC 316 post-fight press conference, White confirmed, “Jon Jones agreed to do the fight. Jon Jones was offered the deal and accepted the deal. Jon agreed to fight Tom, yes.”
White reiterated his previous confidence in the booking: “You guys have heard me for the last however long, `I guarantee this fight is going to happen. This fight’s going to happen.`”
He also addressed the online buzz, saying, “You guys told me the crazy s**t that’s going on Instagram, and all these other places. But yes, I’ve been saying Jon is going to fight Tom.”
Despite his earlier certainty about the fight, which was reportedly planned for UFC 322 in November, White`s confidence now appears to be decreasing.
He admitted, “Listen, you can’t make people fight, if Jon doesn’t want to fight, you can’t make him fight. We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight. But we’ll figure it out.”
Jones, the former dominant light-heavyweight champion, has been out of action since his win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Meanwhile, interim heavyweight champion Aspinall has been on the sidelines since his swift 60-second victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July.
Credit: GETTY
