Picture this, the UFC heavyweight division, one of the most electrifying in all of sports, is about to see a showdown for the ages. Jon Jones, the consensus GOAT of MMA, versus Tom Aspinall, the undefeated rising star. It’s the type of fight that could define an era. But here’s the catch, there’s one person standing between us and this colossal clash, Dana White.

The question is, will Dana White give in to the champ’ high demands and ensure this fight takes place? Or will the UFC boss let a historic moment slip away? Joe Rogan, who’s no stranger to the ins and outs of the UFC has some thoughts on the matter. On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan boldly suggested that Dana should pay up. But what does that mean for the UFC’s future? Should White actually listen to Joe? Stick with us, because the answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Jon Jones Demands a Hefty Payout, Joe Rogan Wants UFC to Comply!

So here’s the deal, ‘Bones’ Jones is asking for a cool lumpsum to face the interim champ in 2025. Is that a reasonable ask, or is Jones just playing hardball?

Let’s back up for a second. Jon Jones isn’t just any fighter. He’s a living legend, a man who has done it all in the octagon. But here’s the twist, he’s also making headlines right now, not for his fighting skills, but for his off-cage demands. The word on the street is that he won’t step into the ring unless the UFC coughs up $30 million. Now, Joe Rogan, who knows the UFC better than almost anyone seems to think that the UFC should just pay him. In a candid moment on episode #2249 of the JRE podcast,  Rogan said, “The UFC is going to pay it, hopefully. I hope they pay,” He’s advocating for Jones, not just because of his immense skill but because, according to Rogan, this is about securing Jones’ legacy.

Is Jon Jones’ $30 Million Demand Reasonable?

Okay, let’s slow things down a bit and really break this down. Is $30 million too much for a fight like this, or does Jones have every right to ask for it?

When you compare it to past UFC paydays, this might not seem as outrageous as it first appears. Take Conor McGregor, for instance. At UFC 229, McGregor earned around $28.4 million (including a base salary of $3 million, endorsements, sponsorships, and PPV share) for his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, and that event grossed $86.4 million. So, when we do consider, ‘Bones’ Jones’ $30 million request does seem like it’s in the ballpark, doesn’t it?

But again there are a couple of things to consider here. Firstly, Jones isn’t McGregor. His personality isn’t as polarizing as ‘The Notorious’, and the lead-up to his fight with ‘Honey Badger’ might not be as fiery as the Ireland-Dagestan feud. So, is it worth it to pay Jones that amount for a fight where the hype is more about legacy than rivalry?

Think about this, Jones has a chance to retire as the undisputed GOAT, and Aspinall is the fresh blood trying to make his mark in the heavyweight division. The narrative alone could carry massive appeal. Therefore, the real question to consider would be, how much is all this, that is this narrative worth to the UFC? Do you think the current GOAT’s demand makes sense given the stakes of the said bout?

How Much Will the UFC Earn From Jones vs. Aspinall? A Prediction

Now, let’s take a step back and think big to analyze better. If hypothetically, the UFC CEO does bite the bullet and agrees to Jones’ $30 million, what does that mean for the UFC? Early buzz is suggesting that UFC could bring in a mind-blowing $120 million just from pay-per-view sales. And when you have stars like Jones and the Englishman on the card, each bringing their massive fanbases, it’s not too far-fetched to think we could see over 1.5 million PPV buys. But let’s not stop there, there’s also the gate revenue, sponsorship deals, and merchandise. Add it all up, and the total could easily push past $150 million.

But it’s not all about the money. This fight represents a major turning point for the UFC. Dana White himself called this bout “the biggest fight in UFC history.” That’s a lot of weight on this matchup. With stakes this high, can Dana afford to not pull the trigger and make it happen?

So here we are, the anticipation is through the roof, and everything is in play. If the UFC books Jones vs. Tom Aspinall in 2025, we might witness one of the biggest paydays in the sport’s history. But it all comes down to one person, Dana White.

What’s your take? Do you think Dana should open the floodgates to make this fight happen? Is it worth meeting Jon Jones’ demands, or could it all blow up in their faces? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!