Jon Jones' manager likens new eight-fight monster UFC deal to Conor McGregor's salary
Jon Jones is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon. The former light heavyweight champion will be fighting for the now-vacant UFC heavyweight title against No.1-ranked heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March.
The fight announcement was accompanied by the news of Jones signing an eight-fight deal with the UFC. This means that fans can look forward to seeing 'Bones' in action for years to come. Breaking the news with a tweet, ESPN MMA wrote:
"Jon Jones has signed a new 8-fight deal with the UFC ahead of his upcoming heavyweight title bout at UFC 285, Dana White announced on Saturday."
Check out the tweet below:
Jon Jones has signed a new 8-fight deal with the UFC ahead of his upcoming heavyweight title bout at UFC 285, Dana White announced on Saturday. https://t.co/pAmYsq3LpF
The former UFC light heavyweight champion's new deal with the promotion has made him the highest-paid heavyweight fighter of all time. According to his manager Richard Schaefer, Jones has now become the second highest-paid fighter in UFC history behind Conor McGregor.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the recent edition of The MMA Hour, Schaefer said:
"I think UFC realizes that Jon Jones is the G.O.A.T., so they were very open to working with us and come to the conclusion of putting together a fair deal. The deal we made for Jon makes Jon, in the history of the UFC, the highest-paid heavyweight athlete. And overall, I think...probably the second-highest ever, next to Conor McGregor."
Check out Jones' manager's claims below:
Jon Jones will have a difficult time against Ciryl Gane, compared to Francis Ngannou, claims DC
Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier recently shared his opinion on the news of Jones' return to the heavyweight division for a title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
Although Cormier, like many other MMA fans, was expecting Jones to face Ngannou for the title, that didn't come to fruition. Ngannou and the UFC failed to reach terms for the renewal of the fighter's contract, consequently, 'The Predator' is no longer with the UFC.
It doesn't get bigger than this - UFC President @DanaWhite confirms that @JonnyBones will take on @Ciryl_Gane for the ππππππππππ heavyweight championship at #UFC285 π
[ March 4 | @TMobileArena | Tix On Sale Jan 20 at AXS.com ] https://t.co/oUpfPUMYXp
Reacting to the title fight announcement in a recent video on his YouTube Channel, Cormier said:
βI thought Jon [Jones] vs. Francis [Ngannou] was the biggest and my most anticipated fight because of the dangers that Francis Ngannou presents to Jon Jones with the power and everything. But letβs not go crazy here and act as if Jon Jones has not seen power before. Heβs seen power...[although] nothing like the power of Ngannou. I believe that what he has now is maybe a more difficult style matchup in Ciryl Gane.β
Ciryl Gane is a formidable striker with swiftness and dexterity in every one of his strikes. Although he has poor takedown defense, Gane is head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the HW division when it comes to stand-up.
Watch Daniel Cormier discuss the UFC heavyweight division below: