Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) reacts after defeating Stipe Miocic (not pictured) in the heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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“Doesn’t Have The Money To Walk Away” – Chael Sonnen Believes Jon Jones Will Be Back In The UFC Sooner Than Later

Jon Jones has always been a complicated figure in MMA. The guy’s talent is undeniable, possibly the greatest ever. But his career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Multiple suspensions, legal troubles, and lengthy absences have marked his journey. Through it all, Jones has somehow managed to come back each time. His return always generates massive buzz and huge paychecks too.

Now the former heavyweight champion seems to be at another crossroads. Questions swirl about his future and whether he will fight. Tom Aspinall’s name keeps coming up, but Jones doesn’t seem interested. Yet Chael Sonnen thinks fans haven’t seen the last of ‘Bones’ in the UFC octagon. The former title challenger has some interesting theories about what brings Jones back.

Chael Sonnen Talks About Jon Jones Money Situation

Sonnen dropped his take on The Ariel Helwani Show recently. His reasoning was pretty straightforward and brutally honest. According to the ‘American Gangster,’ Jon Jones doesn’t have the money to walk away from fighting. That financial reality will bring him back to the cage eventually. When asked by Helwani if he thinks they will see Jones again, this is what he said:

“He doesn’t have the money to walk away. He doesn’t have a choice.”

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Sonnen pointed to an interesting piece of evidence for his claim. Rumors circulated that Jones had turned down $30 million to fight Aspinall. Most people would think that means Jones is loaded with cash. Sonnen sees it differently though. He believes turning down that kind of money was a miscalculation on his part. And now, he has realized that. He is apologizing to Dana White and back in the testing pool.

The logic makes sense when fans think about it. Jones (28-1-1 NC) has been fighting professionally since 2008. That’s nearly two decades of wear and tear on his body. Fighter pay has improved over the years, but it’s not retirement money for most. Jones likely earned good money throughout his career. But legal fees, training camps, and lifestyle expenses add up quickly. Plus, Jones hasn’t been the most active fighter in recent years either.

The whole situation feels familiar for longtime MMA fans. Jones has teased retirement before only to return months later. Financial necessity might be the push he needs this time. Sonnen’s prediction about Jones needing the money to walk away rings true. Champions don’t usually retire while they are still winning. And they definitely don’t retire when bills keep piling up. Sonnen expect to see Jones back in the octagon sooner rather than later.

(Image Credit: Brad Penner – Imagn Images)

Chael Sonnen

Jon Jones

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!