According to Chael Sonnen, the UFC heavyweight championship unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is agreed in principle, with a date set, despite previous speculation that Jones was avoiding the fight.
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is almost set, or so Chael Sonnen claims.
Sonnen says the UFC heavyweight championship unification bout between Jones and Aspinall is agreed upon in principle. There’s even a potential date floating around.
“I am confident enough to tell you that fight is done,” Sonnen announced on Good Guy / Bad Guy with co-host Daniel Cormier. “That fight is agreed, all the way down to the date. That I do have the confidence to tell you.” International Fight Week seems ideal, but Sonnen personally thinks New York might be in the cards.
Jones snatched the heavyweight title with a swift submission over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. After a two-year hiatus due to injuries, he defended his title at UFC 309, dominating Stipe Miocic with ease.
Meanwhile, as Jones-Miocic was brewing, Aspinall snagged the interim heavyweight title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. Aspinall also defended his interim title with a quick win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July.
Fans have been eagerly anticipating a Jones vs. Aspinall clash since Aspinall won the interim belt. They were let down when the UFC chose Miocic for Jones instead. This decision sparked rumors of Jones “ducking” Aspinall or adopting a prize-fighter mindset. Sonnen suggests this was all part of Jones’ plan.
“I’m telling you, this Jon Jones business, Jones will say a lot of things to the media,” Sonnen explained. “When he gets that phone call, ‘Here’s the guy you’re fighting. Do you understand? Yes,’ and that is what he will say.”
“All of the other reports are not true,” Sonnen continued. “Jon has come out, he’s going to troll, he’s had some fun, he’s even tried to negotiate through the media. Privately, he takes that phone call, it’s ‘Yes,’ or anything else that comes out of his mouth.” False reports abound, but according to Sonnen, Jon hasn’t dodged this fight. He wishes he did—he’d love to roast him—but alas, no ducking here.