And the situation remains challenging as of April 2025 due to their unique circumstances and high-profile demands.
Jon Jones, UFC Heavyweight Champion, is in negotiations for a 2025 return, considering fights against Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira after his dominant victory over Stipe Miocic.
Jones' negotiations are complicated by high financial expectations, demanding payouts comparable to top boxing stars, and being selective with opponents, dismissing certain matchups.
Despite these hurdles, fans and the UFC are eager to finalize a fight with Aspinall, which could be one of the biggest events of 2025
Conor McGregor is challenging to book due to his sporadic appearances, injury history, and need for extensive promotion and careful matchmaking to align with his two-division champion narrative.
McGregor commands massive paychecks and is selective about opponents, further complicating negotiations for his fights and making it difficult to secure suitable matchups.
Both fighters represent significant investments for the UFC, requiring meticulous planning and overcoming logistical and financial obstacles to secure their bouts.