Jon Jones is stepping back into the octagon at UFC 309 this weekend, and the buzz is off the charts. The heavyweight champion is facing off against the legendary Stipe Miocic in a blockbuster title showdown at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
With a guaranteed purse of $3 million, Jones is set to cash in big against Miocic at the penultimate PPV of 2024. Over the years, Jones has steadily climbed the UFC pay ladder — from earning $500K per fight to a whopping $3 million deal now. Add in pay-per-view revenue — estimated at over 800K buys — Jones could take home more than $12 million at UFC 309, making him one of the promotion’s highest-paid fighters.
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Miocic, meanwhile, is guaranteed $1 million from the fight, which could climb to $3 million with PPV cuts.
Stipe is celebrated as one of the greatest heavyweights. However, Jones’ legacy, dominance, and a touch of what fans jokingly call “Dana White privilege“, have secured him this massive payday.
In the co-main event, Charles Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion, is set to earn a guaranteed $500K, with total earnings possibly hitting $1M+ if pay-per-view sales reach 800K. Michael Chandler will also pocket $500K, with his overall payout potentially reaching $1.5M, when we factor in PPV bonuses.
It’s a night that promises fireworks — and big bucks. But if Jon Jones doesn’t fight Tom Aspinall in case he successfully defends his title against Miocic, this might end up being the last of his big money fights.
White’s ultimatum to Jones
UFC CEO White has already said that there’s only one option for Jones: a showdown with interim heavyweight champ Aspinall to unify the belts.
Jones has been vocal about his lack of interest in fighting the Brit, calling him “an assh*le”. He instead prefers a bigger money fight with UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira.
But White has brushed aside that idea, saying, “He’s not fighting Pereira”.
According to the UFC boss, if Jones wants another fight after Miocic, Aspinall is the only matchup that makes sense.
Aspinall, who’s been chasing Jones, earned the interim title with a win over Sergei Pavlovich. This was when Jones was sidelined with a pectoral injury.
He then defended the belt with a knockout win over Curtis Blaydes. By the laws of combat sports, he is entitled to an undisputed title shot. In fact, it should have been Aspinall who was fighting Jones at UFC 309, and not Miocic.
White believes that if Jones wins Saturday and takes a break, he’ll feel that competitive urge again. And that the money will talk too, leading to a Jones-Aspinall showdown eventually.
