Jon Jones says Dana White guaranteed him a money increase for his heavyweight debut
As former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones prepares to make his heavyweight divisional debut in 2022, he’s also expected to see a significant pay raise as well.
While being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on Thursday night for his first fight with Alexander Gustafsson, Jones met with the media to provide an update on his move from light heavyweight to heavyweight. While it was revealed earlier this week that Jones plans to get his weight up to 275 pounds and then prepare for a fight. Jones is likely to face the winner of an upcoming heavyweight title fight between champion Francis Ngannou and top contender Ciryl Gane.
Working on his physical preparation for the fight, Jon Jones is also looking to be compensated fairly for the move up in weight classes. Speaking to The Mac Life on Thursday night, Jones said his relationship with UFC President Dana White is in a good place, and he’s been guaranteed more money for his next fight.
Jon Jones says he and Dana White are in a good place lately, and that he believes a deal will be struck for him to fight at heavyweight next year. pic.twitter.com/JgsifttEfC
— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) September 24, 2021
“Dana, he guaranteed me that he would give me an increase in my next fight, so I’m really excited about that. I think it’s going to be PPV based, so I’m going to have to work for the money I get, I’m going to have sell the fight. I think that’s something I haven’t been good at in the past, you look at guys like [Conor] McGregor who just talk so much s**t, he’s so good at it, and so good at marketing himself, I have always just focused on winning. I think when I come back as a heavyweight, I’ll try to do more legally controversial s**t so I can sell a little bit more PPVs.”
For those awaiting his return to the Octagon, this comes as a good news update as it appears that both the UFC and Jon Jones are on the same page financially and with a scheduled plan. Jones has not competed in the Octagon since UFC 247 when he won a unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes for the light heavyweight title.
Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane still have to fight, but with the sound of things going well between Jon Jones and the UFC, the winner of Ngannou and Gane, should be prepared to face “Bones” in 2022.
