Jon Jones talks new UFC contract, wants to fight 'greatest heavyweight of all time' next
After more than three years away from the octagon, Jon Jones will make his highly anticipated heavyweight debut at UFC 285. 'Bones' recently opened up on his new UFC contract while sharing his goals for the near future.
During a recent appearance on Twitter Spaces (starting at the 22:45 mark) with Kanpai Pandas, 'Bones' was asked if UFC President Dana White had finally increased his pay. To this query, he responded:
"Oh yes, he sure did. I had eight fights left on my contract. I just wasnβt happy with my percentages that I was getting. We just bumped up the pay and we just pretty much picked up where we left off as far as [my] commitment to the UFC. Hopefully, I can get through all eight [fights]. It would be nice. Thatβs a lot of fighting at 35 years old, but weβll see."
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
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Jones then shared some insight on his plans if he is able to capture the heavyweight title, stating:
"Iβve got my sights on Stipe Miocic. I think it just means the most. Thereβs some really exciting fights out there, there's guys that are more intimidating than Stipe, but for my personal legacy, to be able to defeat the greatest heavyweight of all time, it just means the most to me. As far as how soon, hopefully, I get out of this fight with no serious injuries, but Iβd like to get [back] out there as soon as possible."
Jones added that he would like to fight two or three times this year, depending on how the fights play out. 'Bones' has not fought three times in a year since 2011, when he fought four times and became the youngest champion in UFC history.
Dana White discusses Jon Jones' case for the greatest of all-time
Jon Jones already has a strong case for being considered the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts. While speaking with the media following UFC Fight Night 218, UFC President Dana White stated that 'Bones' becoming the heavyweight champion at UFC 285 will end all debates:
"If Jon Jones - when you talk about his legacy - if he can come in and beat Ciryl Gane, I said this when I talked to you guys last time, nobody can deny that Jon Jones is the greatest of all-time. He comes in and wins this heavyweight division - it's hard to debate if he doesn't win the fight, but, he wins this fight, there's no more talk, there's no more debate, it is what it is."
White then compared Jones to recently-retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady. 'Bones' already has, arguably, the strongest case for the greatest of all time tag. But the UFC frontman believes that becoming the eighth two-division champion in the history of the promotion will effectively end all debates.
Watch Dana White speak on the greatest of all-time debate below:
