In a very unexpected twist, UFC superstar Jon Jones has announced that he hired Richard Schaefer, the former CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, as his new adviser.

Jones had recently parted ways with First Round Management.

“I have retained Richard Schaefer as my advisor,” Jones stated. “Richard has been in the combat sports space for over 20 years and has put together some of the biggest pay-per-view events over that period. The likes of [Floyd] Mayweather, [Oscar] De La Hoya, Canelo [Alvarez], [Bernard] Hopkins, [Marco Antonio] Barrera and [Juan Manuel] Marquez have headlined exciting events that Richard has promoted and produced.

“His knowledges 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.”

Jones, a former UFC world champion and regarded as one of the best MMA fighters of all-time, has been out of the cage since February 2020.

He is expected to return as a heavyweight.

In the last few months, there have been heated negotiations between Jones and UFC president Dana White - because Jones wants a large guarantee to take part in a dangerous pay-per-view fight against newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Schaefer parted ways with Golden Boy in 2014. He would later start his own promotional company, Ringstar Sports.

One of Schaefer's fighters, Nonito Donaire, will challenge WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali this Saturday night in a Showtime televised main event.

The longtime boxing figure is excited about the new business relationship with Jones.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to work with such an amazing athlete and person like Jon Jones,” Schaefer said.

“Jon is the gold standard of UFC and one of the greatest athletes to ever dominate his or her respective sport. As he has proven time and again, there is no challenge too great or opponent too difficult. His journey from being the youngest UFC champion in history to becoming the undisputed and undefeated GOAT has entertained and awed fans for many years. His incredible skills and unbelievable fight IQ make him the most dangerous man on the planet.

“I am looking forward to sitting down with Dana White and his team on behalf of Jon to put together the fights the fans want to see.”