Jon Jones announced he is vacating the Light Heavyweight Championship in protest at the UFC not treating him fairly. His battle with Dana White has dominated conversations and triggered a whole host of fighters to open up on the same. Building on this, ‘Bones’ went on yet another Twitter rant and seemingly called out the organization. Furthermore, he advised young fighters to negotiate for big paydays early in their career.
Jon Jones advises young fighters, claims UFC ripped him off
The Light Heavyweight offers advice to young and upcoming fighters based on his own experiences. He goes on to dispel notions of bigger paydays and a larger share of the pie coming with experience.
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Advice while you Young fighters, if you’re hot right now. Get paid. As much as the Ufc is building your brand, you are building their’s. If you think your biggest paydays will come after being with the company for a while. You are wrong.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Initially, ‘Bones’ highlighted the fact that everything was smooth until he asked for more money.
Everything was good until I asked for a piece of the pie.. ufc totally comfortable with me taking concussions for over a decade but asking for generational wealth. Get the fuck out of here.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
A fan questioned Jones’ timing over wanting a raise. However, the fighter had a reply ready and highlighted White’s words about how the UFC is breaking records.
Do you not listen to Dana? Almost every interview he mentions how the UFC are breaking new records and are at an all-time high. Dana mentioned I want Wilder money, meanwhile over the entirety of my career I haven’t even made a quarter of that. https://t.co/Vtrf2UsNd1
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Next, he moved onto talking about how the UFC ripped him off over the last decade.
When I was in my prime, the Ufc‘s way of not paying me was telling me I wasn’t a star. Had me grateful for a new car meanwhile making tens of millions without my knowing.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Building on the tweet he continued and spoke about how the company wooed him with a car whilst “they collected millions.”
Impressed a young kid with a Bentley to fight Lyoto Machida while they collected millions
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
However, he clarifies that the earlier tweets aren’t a call for back pay.
I’m not even asking for backpay for ripping me off throughout my entire 20s. Just wanted to be treated fair moving forward
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Bones who took on many big names says he was a fool for never thinking about what he was actually owed.
I fought mega fight after mega fight throughout my early 20s for under 2million a fight. Who knows what I’m actually owed, makes me feel like a fool even thinking about it
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Also, the company’s UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (based on the website) said “the way the beginning of our Heavyweight negotiations was going sent nothing but red flags.“
Like I said I’m not even fighting for what happened in the past. I just would like to know they would be willing to at least play ball moving forward. The way the beginning of our heavyweight negotiations was going sent nothing but red flags. https://t.co/x7SLv9G6rG
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
He brings up his own tweet from earlier and says it was around the $2 million mark, but it was “still robbery.“
This statement isnt entirely true, it was right around 2million a fight. Not fair to say it was under, still robbery https://t.co/WRCZtkx5mf
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Next, he urges the UFC to treat fighters fairly and not think they are idiots.
Just to be treated fair man. For all of us fighters to finally start getting a higher percentage. No one’s asking to break the bank, just show your athletes you don’t think we are all idiots. https://t.co/0Pgi8B1NmN
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
‘Bones’ claims he may not be a megastar, but says he is the reason fans have come in over the past decade.
Since joining the Ufc? Millions! I may not be a megastar but I’ve been bringing in new fans for over a decade. https://t.co/chdHYHD3tZ
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
And, he brings up his spotted record. But he reasons that it can’t be the only reason he is deprived of pay.
I know I’ve had some negative press over the years but this can’t be the only thing that Ufc is using to justify under paying me for so long https://t.co/9CG7KTReKv
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Later on the series of tweets, he accepts he has made “bad choices.” However, he says “it’s not justifying.“
You’re absolutely right, I have made some bad choices while growing up in the public eye. But honestly I feel like that whole conversation it’s just a bit of a distraction. It’s not justifying https://t.co/HsmQQXF08d
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
Furthermore, he talks about his vacation being nothing new as he has been suspended on a few occasions before.
Oh trust me I’m enjoying the vacation, I’ve been suspended quite a few times. This is nothing new for me. It just sucks Dana is being so stubborn and greedy. It’s ultimately hurting the fans https://t.co/Ki6FexXQCi
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
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Finally, ‘Bones’ says if him sitting out helps make a difference he has done his job.
If me sitting from fighting somehow helps some fighters in the future get taken care of better, well I did my job. You’re welcome
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
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What do you make of Jon Jones’ latest comments?
