Manager touts Jon Jones as second best paid fighter in UFC after inking new 8-fight deal

Jon Jones UFC 286
Mandatory Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez – Cageside Press

Richard Schaefer, the manager of former two-time undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, has boasted that the Rochester native is now likely the second best paid fighter in Octagon history – behind just former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, after the former penned a new eight-fight deal ahead of a UFC 285 return.

Slated to make his Octagon return in two months’ time at UFC 285 on March 4. in Las Vegas, Nevada, former light heavyweight kingpin, Jones headlines the pay-per-view event against former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane, making his long-awaited heavyweight return.

Penning a new eight-fight deal with the organization amid prior contract woes in the time since his last Octagon appearance, Jones headlined UFC 246 most recently, defeating Dominick Reyes in a close decision win back in February 2020.

Set to snap an over-three-year hiatus from active competition, Jones returns in March against Gane. And according to Schaefer, the former champion is now likely the second-best-paid fighter in the entire history of the UFC, behind Irish superstar, McGregor.

“I think the UFC realizes that Jon Jones is the GOAT,” Schaefer told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “He is a generational talent, so they were very much interested and very open to work with us and come to the conclusion of putting together a fair deal, which we did here. That deal we made for Jon makes Jon (in) the history of the UFC, the highest-paid heavyweight athlete. Overall, I think Hunter (Campbell) mentioned to me, probably the second highest ever next to Conor McGregor.”

“So it was a long negotiation but it was no a hostile negotiation,” Schaefer explained. “It wasn’t where both sides dug their heels in. I think both sides wanted to find a way. We found a way and here it is.” 

“… It was a contract that made both parties happy. Maybe it made both parties a little bit unhappy as well. I think in order for this to happen, every side had to give a little bit. We are very pleased and I’m sure UFC is pleased. I’m sure Jon is very happy to be back and get this opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title.”