Given the accomplishments and accolades Jon Jones has earned during his illustrious UFC career, he could be considered one of the most underpaid fighters in the sport.
A longtime light heavyweight kingpin, Jones has competed a total of 28 times and has career earnings under $10 million. A fan recently pointed out the arguably unjust pay he received during his prime years in the promotion by UFC president Dana White. Jones responded:
"Itβs really not robbery if you let someone do it, I wasnβt equipped for the position I was in."
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Jon Jones (26-1-1 NC) has been locked in a pay dispute with Dana White since relinquishing his light heavyweight title and announcing a move to heavyweight to potentially take on Francis Ngannou. Jones laid out the condition that the company would have to pay him what he believes he is worth. Unfortunately, there hasnβt been any progress towards making the fight happen beyond Jones expressing interest in returning in the second quarter of 2022.
When Jon Jones sounded off on Dana White for unfair pay
Earlier this year, Jon Jones appeared on 'Steve-Oβs Wild Ride' and sounded off on Dana White for not paying the athletes their real worth. Here's what Jones said:
βI donβt want to fight soon. I have no interest in fighting in the UFC until I get paid what I believe Iβm worth. I think that eventually the UFC will realize that theyβre being stubborn. They will realize that they have a special athlete in me. I know so many fighters that are living in the Jacksonβs MMA gym because they canβt afford their own apartment. So this is sad. And if I have to have a bad relationship with Dana, sit out for two or three yearsβ¦ to bring light to whatβs happening then these are the things that people remember you for more than winning belts.β
You can catch Jon Jones' full interview on Steve-Oβs Wild Ride below:
According to The Sports Daily, Jon Jones' estimated UFC career earnings sum up to $7,230,000, with his biggest payday to date coming from his second encounter with Daniel Cormier, earning him $580,000. Jones' most recent clash against Dominic Reyes in February 2020 earned him $540,000, the same amount he earned for his two previous clashes against Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith.