Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s compensation for serving as a backup at UFC 309’s main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has come to light through leaked text messages.
The messages, appearing to be between UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell and a member of Aspinall’s team, disclosed that the British heavyweight earned $200,000 for his standby role at the event.
“For 200k, I’d very much appreciate if he can wait until they walk. I’d kill myself if I said something happened,” Campbell wrote in the leaked communication.
While Aspinall didn’t get the opportunity to compete as both Jones and Miocic were able to perform, the disclosure provides a rare glimpse into the financial arrangements for backup fighters at major UFC events.
The revelation comes amid ongoing discussions about a potential title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall. Following UFC 309, Jones addressed the possibility of facing Aspinall at the post-fight press conference, stating he wants “f***k you money” for the matchup. The undisputed champion emphasized that while Aspinall “needs” him, his own “life and legacy are perfect” without the contest.
UFC President Dana White has publicly supported the idea of a Jones-Aspinall matchup, particularly after expressing opposition to a potential bout between Jones and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Aspinall, known for his well-rounded abilities and natural size advantage, continues to seek the unification bout. However, the matchup’s fruition appears to hinge on Jones’s terms, as the champion has indicated he would be content to retire if his conditions aren’t met.
The disclosed backup fighter fee marks a significant moment of transparency in UFC’s typically private financial dealings with its athletes.
