Analyst predicts Jon Jones could bag "$40 million" against Alex Pereira if he avoids pricing himself out with Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones’ potential showdown with Alex Pereira could net him a massive payday, but his fight negotiations with the UFC hinge on his willingness to face interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall first. Prominent MMA analyst Chisanga Malata recently claimed that if Jones does not price himself out of the potential bout against Aspinall with unrealistic demands, the UFC is ready to meet him halfway and offer a substantial paycheck.

While Jones initially demanded a substantial sum, comparable to boxing star Deontay Wilder's "$30 million payday" to face Francis Ngannou in the UFC, Dana White may be willing to meet that figure if 'Bones' emerges victorious over Aspinall.

This approach could pave the way for a highly lucrative fight against Pereira considering the excitement and potential pay-per-view draw. Despite past guarantees from White falling short, Malata remains hopeful that the UFC will meet Jones' demands, particularly with the prospect of a fight with Pereira serving as a major headline for International Fight Week in mid-2025. Malata said:

"There's no potential fight happening anyway between Francis Ngannou and Jones where apparently he wanted Deontay Wilder-type money... The region of $30 million... I think he's [White] willing to meet him somewhere in the middle and give him what he wants and potentially give him an even bigger payday and say to him, 'Look if you beat Tom then you can have this 'Poatan' fight and we can give you $ 40 million."

Malata also added that the UFC’s negotiations are crucial, as they will also use this blockbuster fight to attract attention from TV networks and boost future television deals. He added:

"They also want to go into negotiations with TV rights saying that we've got Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira in the pipeline. So I think they'll give [Jones what he wants]."

Check out Chisanga Malata's comments below (4:30):

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Jon Jones takes a jab at Tom Aspinall while praising Alex Pereira

Jon Jones recently shed light on a potential fight against Tom Aspinall, revealing that he doesn't consider defeating the English fighter as an impressive feat in his career. The UFC heavyweight champion has criticized Aspinall in the past, calling him annoying, and stated that beating him wouldn't contribute significantly to his record or legacy.

On the other hand, Jones had high praise for UFC light heavyweight king Alex Pereira, admiring his accolades. Speaking in a recent conversation with Alex G Was Here on YouTube, Jones said:

"I think we both have huge legacies. We have multiple championships. Alex Pereira won double belts in Glory Kickboxing. He won double belts in the UFC. He's a celebrity, he's a star over the world. Tom Aspinall... No one cares about him right now outside of the UK."

Check out Jon Jones' comments below (27:20):