JON JONES has made a major announcement following his X-rated demand to the UFC brass.
The fan favourite successfully defended his heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden last weekend.
In the aftermath of his stunning third-round TKO, Jones revealed he’d be willing to unify the belts with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall if he receives “f**k you” money.
And negotiations between Jones and the UFC brass or him to get his desired payday are already underway.
He told The Schmo: “Right now, the UFC and I are in talks to see what happens next.
“I’m back in the gym, I’m training, I feel really great.
“The team’s support, they’re right behind me, and we’ll just be ready for whatever opportunity comes our way.”
It’s unclear how much money Jones wants to face Brit bruiser Aspinall, who he’s repeatedly belittled over the last year.
And the former pound-for-pound king WON’T divulge his asking price for the eagerly-anticipated bout.
He said: “There is a [money figure], but I’m not going to discuss that publicly.”
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Jones, 37, spent just over three years on the sidelines due to a pay dispute with the UFC before returning to the octagon last March to claim the then-vacant heavyweight title.
But he’s confident of reaching an agreement with Dana White and the rest of the UFC brass.
“We’ll just have to wait and see,” he said. “I’ll be competing in 2025, more than likely.”
UFC President and CEO White believes a Jones vs Aspinall fight will be historic for MMA’s top promotion.
He said in the UFC 309 post-fight press conference: “You know what tonight told me? There’s no f***ing way I make the Pereira fight.
“Jon’s too big. [Jon is a] great wrestler.
“Did you see how he took Stipe down in that first round?
“I like Alex Pereira. I like him personally. It just doesn’t make sense to make that fight.”
On a potential fight between Jones and Aspinall, the 55-year-old said: “It would be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history, by a long shot.
“It’s going to be the biggest heavyweight fight ever.
“And it’ll probably be the biggest fight we’ve ever done.”
