UFC fighters such as Jon Jones are looking for a bigger cut of the revenue going forward.
The UFC light heavyweight champion said if he needs to sit out several years to stand up for what he
believes is right, it’s something he will be remembered for more than his fighting. But he is optimistic the UFC ultimately will meet him halfway in negotiations.
Jones has been waging social media battles with the UFC and promotion president Dana White to get more money and increase revenue sharing among fighters.
“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 on Steve-O’s “Wild Ride” podcast. “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.’ 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.
“And 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.”
Jon Jones sells on PPV. That’s all that matters. He’s one of the guys who moves the needle. The UFC is a brand, but there are a few stars that compete with that brand.
Jones is certainly one of them. Pay the man his money, Dana.
