ARTICLE AD BOX
Ever since he defeated Stipe Miočić by technical knockout in the third round in mid-November last year, thus defending his UFC heavyweight champion belt, Jon Jones has been filling the media columns and giving rise to discussions in fighting circles. Will he fight Tom Aspinall, and when? Did he deserve to be stripped of his belt? Does he plan to fight again or is he retiring from the sport? These are some of the most frequently asked questions related to "Bones", and there is still no answer in sight...
What is there, however, are "insider" information and rumors that circulate in the public space on a daily basis. One such emerged at the beginning of the year on Joe Rogan's podcast, and it was placed by Rogan himself, and it related to the alleged fee that Jones is asking for the fight with Aspinall.
- I think Jones will fight Aspinall, I think they are trying to reach an agreement. Rumor has it that he wants $30 million for the fight and that the UFC will pay him. I hope so - Rogan said on that occasion.
For almost five months, Ariel Helwani has been talking about the same topic, but from a different perspective. The most famous MMA journalist on the planet, in fact, stated in his last show that Jones was actually bluffing by asking for a high amount, counting on the fact that his wish would not be granted, and after the UFC gave the green light, Helwani claims that Jones withdrew.
- He asked for a huge fee and the UFC agreed, which he did not expect at all, so he refused again. That's what happened - said Helwani without stating the exact amount of the fee, but it can be assumed that he was referring to the amount that Rogan had previously publicly stated. Or perhaps even a higher amount than that.
Final answer
Jones, let's remind you, has still not given a final answer regarding his future. Aspinall last fought at the end of July last year when he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in their rematch and thus defended his "interim" title, while Jones last entered the UFC cage four months later when, as mentioned in the introduction, he "decided" Stipe Miocic in the third round and defended the undisputed champion's belt. Since that victory over Miocic, there has been public speculation about Jones' future, and recently the 37-year-old American has even speculated about his potential retirement, although Dana White and the UFC firmly believe that the fight with Aspinall will still happen.
In the meantime, an online petition has even been launched asking the UFC to strip Jones of the heavyweight title, which would relaunch the division and allow Aspinall to attack the belt. Jones, however, is not too upset by this initiative, nor is he affected by the criticism and public pressure directed at him these days. Despite all the speculation about the possible removal of the belt, White has never mentioned such a thing as a possible move. In all his public appearances, he has practically guaranteed that the Jones-Aspinall fight will happen, and whether it will actually happen in the end, only time will tell...
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