Jon Anik believes Jon Jones will require an astounding money figure to return to the Octagon after UFC 309.
Jon Jones defeated Stipe Miocic in his first UFC heavyweight title defense at UFC 309 last Saturday. After almost two full years since winning the then-vacant title at UFC 285, Jones put on one of the most dominant performances of his career in his triumphant return.
Jones, who previously teased retirement leading up to UFC 309, wants at least one more fight if he and the UFC can come to terms on a new contract. Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is the most likely opponent, although Jones has also expressed profound interest in facing Alex Pereira.
Jones wants self-described ‘f*** you money’ to return to the Octagon on a new contract. UFC CEO Dana White remains optimistic that he and Jones can work out a new deal to make one of the biggest heavyweight fights come to fruition.
Jon Anik is among many top UFC personalities who are clamoring for the Jones vs. Aspinall fight to get booked in 2025. While he likely doesn’t have any first-hand knowledge of how the Jones/UFC negotiations will play out, he has an idea of what Jones will demand from the promotional brass.
- READ MORE: Joe Rogan pinpoints moment Conor McGregor ‘self-destructed’ and changed his MMA career forever
Jon Anik: Jon Jones ‘absolutely worth’ $20-25 million contract offer
During a recent episode of The Anik & Florian Podcast, Anik predicted what it’ll take the UFC to lure Jones back to the Octagon to fight Aspinall.
“I do think it’s going to happen. When you hear Jon Jones invoke the name Jake Paul, I think it tells you all you need to know,” Anik said. “He just needs $20-$25 million to show, and he’s absolutely worth it, and I think they’ll pay it.
“I can understand why Dana doesn’t necessarily want to make Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira, but I just sometimes feel like Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones are held to a different standard. A lot of people are saying ‘Jon Jones was given an opportunity’, and if you look back at the history, Jon Jones was given an opportunity because his teammate Rashad Evans was unable to make the walk. Given an opportunity at 23…I just think it’s a little bit asking a lot, or lazy, to say that Jon Jones needs to provide this opportunity.”
In 2020, Jones requested a similar figure to fight then-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, but the two sides couldn’t come to terms. White compared Jones’ desired pay to former heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall could top the 2025 UFC slate
Before the win over Miocic, Jones defeated Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship at UFC 285. His heavyweight debut came to fruition after three full years of rebuilding his body for the move up a weight class.
Aspinall seems optimistic about the upcoming negotiations, as he admitted immediately after UFC 309. He most recently defended the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.
Jones is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time after a legendary career in the Octagon. He’s dismantled legends like Daniel Cormier, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, and Shogun Rua in his career.
13 years after becoming the UFC’s youngest-ever champion, Jones stands to earn a massive payday to face Aspinall in 2025. While it’s uncertain if the UFC brass will grant the figure that Jones wants, Anik is confident all sides will prevail at the negotiating table.
- READ MORE: UFC legend explains how Jon Jones’ post-UFC 309 Tom Aspinall dismissals ruined his ‘brand’