“Cant ask $50 million” – Jon Jones’ ex-roommate Colby Covington predicts disappointing ending to heavyweight champ’s run

UFC veteran Colby Covington doesn't think the heavyweight champion Jon Jones will ever fight Tom Aspinall in a unification bout.

“Cant ask $50 million” – Jon Jones’ ex-roommate Colby Covington predicts disappointing ending to heavyweight champ’s run

Colby Covington mocks Jon Jones for ducking Tom Aspinall (via Imago)

Jon Jones remains the UFC’s most decorated athlete, keeping fans in suspense about his long-awaited return to competition. As the reigning heavyweight champion, he must eventually defend his title against interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, repeated delays have fueled widespread skepticism among fans and experts, casting doubt on whether the fight will ever happen.

Aspinall has been waiting for an opportunity against Jones for more than a year now, and has done everything possible. However, nothing has worked, and there are no updates about the fight. Jones recently asked for six months to prepare for Aspinall, leaving everyone upset. However, Colby Covington believed ‘Bones’ was just stalling. 

I don’t think Jones is going to fight him. I think he’s going to duck Aspinall and retire. He’s trying to ask for an unreasonable price. You can’t be asking for $40-50 million—you don’t bring in that kind of money for the company. He’s going to end up retiring before he fights Aspinall.

Colby Covington via Tim Welch 
YouTube video

Jones and Covington share a heated rivalry that dates back to their college wrestling days at Iowa Central Community College. Their feud intensified over the years, with Covington frequently trash-talking Jones and mocking his controversies. Despite never fighting in the UFC, their personal animosity continues to generate headlines.

Nevertheless, Jones is currently on his last stint in a professional career, and wants to retire with a huge fight purse. While many experts believe that after years of fighting, the UFC should pay him the money, the negotiations are still ongoing. UFC CEO Dana White is desperate to hold the mega fight, but it seems like they are not sure about the developments.

Aspinall has also accused Jones of ducking and recently confirmed that he’s bored of waiting for the title shot. The British fighter has had the interim title for more than 400 days, the second longest in UFC history. Many fans have slammed UFC for wasting Aspinall’s prime years while Jones continues to be disinterested. 

Jon Jones added assets to his ventures outside UFC 

In UFC, fans often see fighters who fail to leave the sport before the sport leaves them. One of the biggest examples is Tony Ferguson who lost eight fights in a row before leaving the UFC. The California fighter often gets accused of having CTE due to his antics. As an experienced fighter, Jon Jones is well aware of that and doesn’t want to take more damage to the brain. 

Jon Jones become co-owner in a new fighting promotion
Jon Jones become co-owner in a new fighting promotion (via X)

Jones is heavily inspired by someone like Dwayne Johnson, and has already taken his first step towards an acting career. The GOAT of MMA now wants to use his fame to earn money rather than putting his health on the line. On top of that, he was also signed up as the co-owner of an upcoming combat sports promotion, Dirty Boxing. 

I was hooked from the first show. I believe this is going to be a powerhouse of combat sports. I’m proud to sign my name next to it. 

Jon Jones via Dirty Boxing 

Dirty Boxing recently held one of the fighting events where they hosted UFC veteran Yoel Romero. The Cuban beast managed to put on a show and win his bout at the age of 47. It seems like in the future, Jones wants to compete against his long-time employers in the UFC.  

Jones is definitely not the first UFC veteran to do so as others such as Jorge Masvidal and Urijah Faber have also taken similar steps. However, the biggest one is undoubtedly ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, who last year became the co-owner of BKFC. Since then, the Irishman has consistently remained active in promoting his promotion as much as possible. It remains to be seen if Jones can do the same thing.

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