Jon Jones hires former Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer as advisor

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has new representation, and it’s someone from the boxing world.

On Wednesday, Jones announced that he’s hired former Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer as his new advisor.

“I have retained Richard Schaefer as my advisor,” Jones said in a statement posted to his social media. “Richard has been in the combat space for over 20 years and has put together some of the biggest global pay-per-view events over that period. The likes of Mayweather, De La Hoya, Canelo, Hopkins, Barrera, and Marquez have headlined the exciting events that Richard has promoted and produced. His knowledge and experience of the pay-per-view industry and combat sports are second to none.

“I am excited to embark on this next chapter of my career as I continue to cement my place in history as one of the greats with Richard as my advisor. I can’t wait to give my fans and the sport the fights they want to see.”

The move comes one month after a split from managers Malki and Abe Kawa of First Round Management, which represented Jones for 11 years, although Jones had been handling his own negotiations for recent fights.

Turning to Schaefer for advice comes at a time when Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) seemingly has reached a stalemate in dealing with the UFC and president Dana White, with whom he’s publicly feuded as he’s planned a move up to heavyweight. Jones and White first butted heads last year after Jones said he was willing to fight Francis Ngannou for more money. The feud reignited after Ngannou defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 to become champion, setting the stage for a potential title showdown in Jones’ heavyweight debut.

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However, neither Jones nor White have budged on their stances. As a result, Ngannou is expected to meet Derrick Lewis in a rematch for his first title defense.

While White’s disdain for Oscar De La Hoya is well known, in a December 2018 appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” White complimented Schaefer as the secret to the secret to Golden Boy’s success, adding “there’s no brains behind the operation” without him.

Schaefer left Golden Boy in 2014 after joining the promotion in 2000. Since that time, he’s worked in real estate and founded his own boxing promotion, Ringstar Sports.