‘Legacy ruined’ – Jon Jones posts UFC 309 gate but is behind two Conor McGregor fights and $21m record breaker
UFC 309, despite heavy criticism from fans, became the fourth biggest gate in UFC history.
That may be a surprise as many claimed Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic was not the fight they wanted to see for the heavyweight title.
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It's a claim given more validity as Jones made easy work of Miocic with a TKO in the third round.
A unification fight against Tom Aspinall has been the fight all fans have wanted ever since the Brit beat Russian Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title a year ago.
But after Jones’ latest victory he has continued to show little interest in fighting Aspinall and would prefer a mega fight against light-heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira.
He said at the post-fight press conference: “I'm not really worried about the Tom [Aspinall] fight.
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“I'm more worried about the [Alex] Pereira fight. That's what I really want to do. And I think if the UFC wants to have me back, then I think that's the fight they will make.”
Whoever the heavyweight champion faces next will be a big fight as Jones versus Stipe made $16,673,954 from ticket sales which placed that fight card fourth in the UFC rankings.
Conor McGregor features twice in the top five, but surprisingly not in first place.
His fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC 229) is third with a gate of $17,188,895, topped by the bout against Eddie Alvarez (UFC 205) which earned $17,700,700.
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Sitting comfortably in first place with $21,829.245 is Sean O’Malley against Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title at UFC Noche which took place in September.
Fifth place is UFC 300 as Alex Pereira faced off against Jamahal Hill to earn $16,508,823 for the fight promotion. The same card Justin Gaethje versus Mac Holloway was on.
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A considerable note that UFC president Dana White will make is that Alex Pereira, who Jones is keen to fight, is a large draw despite his short time in the promotion as also he pulled in $15,909,243 against Jiri Prochazka (UFC 303).
Who would sell more tickets in a fight against Jones, Aspinall or Pereira? Both are renowned for their knockout power.
Aspinall holds the record for the shortest average fight time at two minutes and two seconds because of his insane ability to finish fights early proven by six of his eight UFC wins ending in the first round.
Pereira is on a five fight winning streak and has won via knockout or TKO in four of them.
The Brit on paper seems to be a bigger test for the 37-year-old as he is quick on his feet and a good boxer compared to MMA standards, a style Jones has struggled against as Dominick Reyes and Alexander Gustafsson displayed.
Yes, Jones may aim to wrestle with Aspinall but the interim champion weighed 17.4lbs heavier than the American during UFC 309.
Highest ever UFC gates
Legendary fights
- 15 September 2024: UFC Noche, Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili
- 13 November 2016: UFC 205, Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor
- 7 October 2018: UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor
- 17 November 2024: UFC 309, Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
- 14 April 2024: UFC 300, Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill
Wrestling against a heavier fighter is a gruelling and draining task, not to mention Aspinall is well-versed in jiu-jitsu.
The Brazilian will be closer to size with Jones and is weaker in grappling and submissions compared to Aspinall.
Jones prefers a fight against Pereira because he views it as the easier task.
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