Jon Jones Returning as a Heavyweight: What does this mean for UFC?

Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter in the UFC and he is all set to return in his next fight at heavyweight.

From the beginning of his career in the UFC, he has fought at Light- Heavyweight (205 pounds) where he became the youngest champion in the UFC at just 21 Years of age. Jones has an almost perfect UFC record of 26-1-0 having fought 21 fights in the UFC and staying undefeated for a long time, losing just one night due to DQ which happened due to an Illegal 12-6 Elbow.

He reigned on the Light Heavyweight Division as champion defending his belt 15 times winning over Dominic Reyes in his last title defense. UFC was ready to book the rematch soon but due to the issue of fighter pay, Jon Jones vacated his 205 pounds belt. Even Paige van Zant left the UFC for the same reason.

Looking at the issue, Jon Jones tweeted- “I hurt myself every time I walk out there and take a punch to the head and not feel my pay is worth it anymore”.

Jones reportedly made $1Million in his last fight. According to the UFC President Dana White, Jon Jones was asking for high paydays like the ones that boxers get. Especially in reference to the former WBC champion Deontay Wilder Making $30 Million per fight. Jon Jones was not set to return until he was paid what he wanted.

After few days, however, Jones tweeted- “Just had a positive conversation with the UFC. Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at Heavyweight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins”.

The main question is: Who will Jones face at Heavyweight?

Jones will not be given Stipe Miocic as Dana White has mentioned that Francis Ngannou is next in line for the belt. Jones will certainly get someone from the top five and if he wins, then he is surely getting the champion. What does it mean to the UFC as Jones has negotiated a new deal with the UFC for the upcoming fights? Will it cost them more money to pay Jones or will it benefit them? 

Right now, it can be negative for the UFC as venues are empty due to the pandemic but in the end, it will be highly profitable as Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic or Francis Ngannou will be a huge success in terms of Pay-Per-View buys and tickets. It looks like Jones will fight in 2021 as the remaining cards for the year are stacked and Jones has to move up around thirty pounds.

Jon Jones is expected to be dominant in the heavyweight division as well due to his skillset as his long time rival Daniel Cormier once told Ariel Helwani- “I believe that someone of Jon Jones ability shouldn’t be too worried about the weight class. If someone possesses the same skillset as Jones, he will be successful in any weight class”.

We will soon get to know who Jon ‘Bones’ Jones faces in his next bout in the upcoming months and it would be interesting to see what the future holds for him at Heavyweight. Let us know your thoughts on the Heavyweight move of Jon Jones in the comment section below. 

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please login to leave a comment

0 Comments