UFC legend Chael Sonnen has offered his take on why Jon Jones once demanded $40 million to fight Tom Aspinall, suggesting that the figure was more performative than practical. According to Sonnen, Jones made the demand right after beating Stipe Miocic and when asked how much he’d need to face Aspinall, “yelled out” the biggest number he could think of—$40 million—after seeing a report claiming Jake Paul was paid that amount for a fight. Sonnen says that report was false.
Sonnen’s critique is that Jones ended up getting locked into that number, not because it was realistic or based on negotiations, but because it fit the moment. Sonnen argues Jones “forgot” that part of what he said was spectacle—something meant to generate buzz, even if it wasn’t grounded in facts.
The article also notes that while Jones once held the UFC’s heavyweight belt, he relinquished it upon announcing retirement, which complicates the narrative around his return and demands. The idea of Jones being part of next year’s UFC “White House event” adds more uncertainty around whether or not the Aspinall fight will ever happen under those financial terms.