Jon Jones is prepared to stick by his fight with the UFC for the long haul.
In an appearance on Steve-O’s “Wild Ride!” podcast Thursday, the UFC light heavyweight champion, who has been locked in a pay dispute with UFC president Dana White, says he’s not stepping back into the octagon until he gets what he believes is his fair share of the profits his fights generate.
“I don’t want to fight soon,” Jones said. “I have no interest in fighting in the UFC until I get paid what I believe I’m worth.”
But the fighter considered by many the greatest pound-for-pound competitor in mixed martial arts history says this isn’t all about him — he’s thinking of the guys at the bottom of the pay scale.
While stars like Jones are believed to make millions of dollar in undisclosed money above their fight purses, which are public record, those at the bottom of the UFC roster make guaranteed money that barely covers expenses, competing for a promotion which is valued at $7 billion.
“I’m not asking for anything outrageous, and I know we’re in a pandemic, and I know when you’re a multimillionaire and you’re asking for more, it makes you seem like this greedy person,” Jones said. “I’m very aware of all of this, but I’m also very aware that I have the voice and the platform to make change.
“Most of the guys who are doing the absolute worst are not in the position that they can say publicly, ‘I have a second job, I’m borrowing money from my parents,’” Jones continued. “I know so many fighters who are living in the Jackson Wink MMA gym because they can’t afford to have their own apartment, and they’re UFC fighters. So this is sad.”
To that end, Jones, who turns 33 next month, says he’s willing to wait as long as it takes to make his point.
“If I have to have a bad relationship with Dana, sit out for two years, three years, to bring light to what’s happening, then these are the things people remember you for more than winning belts. I stood for the younger fighters.”
The public dispute between Jones and White began when Jones requested better money for the challenge of stepping up to face top heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou. The duo engaged in a public game of chicken, practically daring one another to release text messages which would spell out exactly how much money Jones wanted, but neither side followed through.
Jones said he doesn’t want his relationship with White to be sour, but is willing to bear the brunt of however this standoff plays out.
“If it has gotten to a place of being personal, I would just much rather work for a company where I felt like I went home,” Jones said. “I’m home when I go to work. I have a great relationship with the UFC staff, but it’s a weird feeling when you feel like they don’t want you there.”
You can watch Jones’ full appearance on “Wild Ride!” below
Jon Jones has 'no interest in fighting in the UFC,' prepared for long holdout
