Jon Jones currently holds significant negotiating power with the UFC due to his potential fight with Tom Aspinall, but UFC legend Matt Brown warns that this leverage is temporary, as the organization can continue to thrive with or without him.
Jon Jones finds himself in a prime negotiating spot with the UFC, but that leverage isn’t infinite. UFC legend Matt Brown notes that fighters like Jones have limited control, even with matchmakers and executives like Dana White and Hunter Campbell. Jones, however, has a bit more say due to the buzz around a potential fight with Tom Aspinall. Still, Brown warns Jones not to push too hard, as the UFC could simply move on.
“The biggest heavyweight fight is with Jon Jones, period,” Brown said on “The Fighter vs. The Writer.” Yet, the UFC can still break records without him. It all hinges on how much power the UFC will let Jones wield. They desire the massive fight that Jones vs. Aspinall promises. But if Jones walks away, they’ll build up another star, like Ciryl Gane, as the next big thing. The heavyweight division, after all, is a bit thin right now.
Brown points out that Jones’ star power, combined with the UFC’s ongoing broadcast negotiations, gives him an edge. If Francis Ngannou were still around, things might be different, but without him, Jones vs. Aspinall is the biggest draw.
“Jon has some power because heavyweight is the cash cow division,” Brown explained. It’s a back-and-forth game, and Jones is playing it well. He wants to be the man, the one making the big bucks, and the UFC is pushing back.
Despite this, the UFC’s dominance in the MMA world remains strong. They continue to rake in revenue, even as stars like Conor McGregor fade. They’d love to cash in on Jones vs. Aspinall, but the current goodwill won’t last forever.
“The UFC is so powerful, it almost doesn’t matter anymore,” Brown said. They’ll keep moving forward, regardless of Jones’ decisions. Aspinall, meanwhile, has been vocal about his frustrations. But Brown thinks Aspinall knows the fight will eventually happen, or he’d have moved on already.
“We don’t know the behind-the-scenes details,” Brown said. “But if Aspinall didn’t believe the fight was happening, he’d have taken another bout.” Unlike the Chandler-McGregor situation, Aspinall has a valid reason to wait. Jones is still active, and he’s set his terms for fighting.
Brown is optimistic a deal will be struck, as Jones wants to continue building his legacy. Unlike McGregor, Jones still has the fight in him, and Aspinall is the best option.
“Jon is a fighter,” Brown said. “He’s a different beast, a savage. He wants to fight, and there’s no one else for him but Tom.” Aspinall’s patience makes sense, as there are no other viable options for Jones right now.
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