The heavyweight showdown fans have long awaited — may still be stuck in limbo. While the excitement around the potential title unification bout hasn’t died down, it’s clear that a hefty paycheck will be the key to making it a reality. Last year, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones made it known that if the fight against Tom Aspinall is going to happen Dana White & Co. will need to dig deep into their pockets. ‘Bones’ didn’t give an exact figure, but he made his expectations crystal clear:
“If I give him the opportunity to fight me, I want to be so compensated — I want to say it, I want that ‘f*ck you’ money, honestly. That’s just what it is. Or else my life is perfect without him. I don’t need him at all, and he needs me, and that’s a good place to be in a negotiation.”
Not long after that statement, reports surfaced claiming Jon Jones had requested around $30 million to face Aspinall. While Joe Rogan — a figure close to the UFC — shot down those claims, the number continues to fuel speculation and fan debate. Meanwhile, over 500 days have passed since the Brit won the interim heavyweight title, but a fight contract with ‘Bones’ remains unsigned. Adding to the intrigue, UFC vets Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen revisited the topic on their Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast.
They reflected on a moment from last year’s Arnold Sports Festival in Birmingham, where Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall came face to face. During their brief interaction, the Englishman placed his hand on the New Mexican native’s shoulder — a move many interpreted as a quiet attempt to assert dominance.
Chael Sonnen broke it down: “Look, Jon tells him, ‘Don’t touch me.’ Did you see that?” To which Daniel Cormier replied: “Jon doesn’t like that. But look at how big Tom is, though. That’s why Jon Jones is like, ‘Yo man, pay me more money.’ Look at the size of Tom Aspinall.” Sonnen agreed, adding: “Yeah, I like that Jon said, ‘Don’t touch me, man. You’ve got to live the gimmick.’“
‘DC’ then circled back to remind everyone that, regardless of the negotiation talk, Jones is still one of the most dangerous fighters alive: “But Jon’s a dog, man. Jon really is a dog. Like, if you challenge Jon Jones, he will step up to the challenge… Be ready to fight Jon.”
November 17, 2024: El campeo³n de peso pesado de UFC, Jon Jones, con su prometida Jessie Moses, celebra su victoria por nocaut to cnico contra el retador Stipe Miocic durante su pelea por el toÂtulo de peso pesado de UFC 309. – ZUMAla2_ 0779969143st Copyright: xKenaxBetancurx
And Daniel Cormier’s words carry serious weight. In a career spanning nearly 16 years, Jon Jones has never backed down from a challenge. He’s faced — and beaten — two generations of elite fighters. Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, both of whom have experienced firsthand what it’s like to stand across from Jones in the Octagon.
Since making his UFC debut in 2008, Jones has consistently pushed the boundaries of greatness, becoming a source of inspiration for the next wave of MMA talent — including Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. The wrestling phenom recently credited Jon Jones as the biggest influence behind his decision to enter the MMA world.
Let’s take a look at what ‘Golden Gable’ had to say.
Gable Steveson talks about Jon Jones’ legacy
Jon Jones’ legacy in the fight game isn’t just built on his dominance inside the Octagon — where he dismantled legends like Lyoto Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua — but also on the inspiration he’s provided to a new generation of athletes. Among those inspired is two-time NCAA Champion Gable Steveson, who carved out a legendary collegiate wrestling career with an incredible 102-2 record. Earlier this year, after nearly two years away from competition, Steveson made a highly anticipated return to the NCAA scene.
But his quest to become a three-time NCAA gold medalist came to a sudden stop when fan-favorite Wyatt Hendrickson delivered a shocking upset, halting Gable Steveson’s comeback. Rather than dwell on the loss, the NCAA star used it as fuel — turning his focus toward a new challenge. He began training alongside his mentor and UFC icon Jon Jones, sharpening his skills under the same man who made a triumphant return at UFC 309, dominating Stipe Miocic in his heavyweight debut. That glimpse into the world of MMA ignited a fire in Steveson — and for a competitor of his caliber, there’s no bigger stage than the UFC.
He’s already teased a debut, even hinting that talks with Dana White are in progress. Amid the buzz around his future, Steveson opened up about the impact Jon Jones has had on his journey during a candid moment on the OverDogs Podcast. He shared a reflection that highlights just how long ‘Bones’ has been at the top — and how deeply he’s influenced the next wave of fighters:
“We just talked about Jon fighting for 20 years. When I was with him, I was like, ‘I don’t want to make it seem like you’re old or not, but you were winning when I was nine.’ And I’m like, ‘You went through, you went through two generations of fans. Like, you went through the die-hard UFC fans to the kids with curly hair that want to suddenly put on gloves, with no clue what they’re doing.’So, I’m like, ‘Yo, you’ve been through a whole group of fandom here. Like, I don’t think you understand.’ But he most definitely understands, and it’s cool that we can talk that way.’”
What do you make of Jon Jones’ demand for “f**k you money”? Will Dana White and the UFC really break the bank to make the Tom Aspinall fight happen? Share your take below.
The post Daniel Cormier Underlines Jon Jones’ Major Concern Behind $30M Demands as Tom Aspinall Gets a Warning appeared first on EssentiallySports.
