Joe Rogan is the official commentator for the main UFC events. Photo: Disclosure
Joe Rogan backtracked on Thursday (9) after reporting on his podcast last week a multi-million dollar value involved in the fight between the UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg), Jon Jones, and the interim champion of the category, Tom aspinall. At the 'Joe Rogan Experience', the Ultimate commentator revealed that 'Bones' was allegedly seeking $30 million (approximately R$185 million in conversion) to face the British fighter, and also said: 'And the UFC will pay, I hope. I hope they pay.'
The information passed on by Rogan caused such a ripple effect that UFC president Dana White contacted him via phone call to deny the news. On his podcast this Thursday, the commentator said that he "felt compelled to tell everyone" that the rumor was not true and that it was called "bullshit" by the organization's boss.
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“I had heard a rumor that Jon Jones wanted $30 million (approximately R$185 million) to fight against Tom aspinall. And I heard that rumor. And I heard that the UFC said yes. But that’s not true. Dana contacted me and said that rumor is bullshit. So I felt compelled to tell everyone that it was a false rumor. … We did this podcast two weeks ago; I don’t remember who told me that,” Rogan said.
After admitting to reporting the rumor and then retracting it, Rogan said he thinks the MMA collective should give Jones room to decide what his next move will be, rather than speculating and perhaps pressuring him to make a move within the organization.
“Apparently Jon is thinking about retiring. He should think about it. Give the man all the time he wants. He can fight whenever he wants. That’s Jon Jones – he is the GOAT. So leave him alone. If he decides one day to come back and come back and want to fight with Tom aspinall for the heavyweight title… The question is, how long are you allowed to hold that title before they start having that conversation?” he concluded.
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Tom aspinall (left) holds the interim heavyweight belt, while Jon Jones (dir.) bears the linear. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
It's not new that the duel against Tom aspinall is not seen with good eyes by Jon Jones. The current UFC heavyweight champion has been rehearsing his retirement and, even before winning Stipe Miocic, at UFC 309, in November of last year, changed his mind when revealing his desire to fight against Alex Poatán, the organization's light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg). In turn, White always wanted to make the fight between Jones and Aspinall and guaranteed '100%' that it would happen in 2025.
After beating Miocic, 'Bones' consolidated his first defense of the belt, won in March 2023 after defeating Cyryl Gane, at UFC 285. Aspinall became interim heavyweight champion in November 2023, after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich, and defended the title in July 2024 when he also beat, by knockout, the North American Curtis blaydes.
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