MMA personality Chael Sonnen is now walking back his previous statement that a highly anticipated heavyweight championship unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall was a confirmed done deal.
Just a day after asserting the fight was “agreed, all the way down to the date,” Sonnen addressed the issue on his YouTube channel. The three-time UFC title challenger explained that while he previously understood Jones would fight Aspinall next, he now sees a new obstacle preventing that matchup.
Quoting his past remarks, Sonnen acknowledged, “OK, I might have said that. I also did believe that to be true, so I do remember—I might have said that… But one thing I do know I told you word for word… I told you Tom Aspinall’s next fight is done, but I don’t know that it will be against Jon Jones. I then told you if Jon Jones fights again, Jon Jones’ next fight will be against Tom Aspinall.” He stressed that Aspinall`s immediate next fight is indeed booked, though he is no longer certain it will be Jones.
Instead of a clash with Jones, Sonnen predicts that interim champion Tom Aspinall is now expected to face fellow former interim champion Ciryl Gane for the interim belt.
“The current plan right now, Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim championship,” Sonnen stated. He added, with characteristic sarcasm regarding the sport`s frequently changing landscape, that he supports the move because, as he put it, “we fiercely adhere to the rules that we make up as we go. So, I’m on board and I like anything that ends in world championship.”
The complexity in the UFC heavyweight division originated when Francis Ngannou departed the promotion in 2023 while still holding the undisputed title. Jon Jones subsequently claimed the vacant undisputed belt by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. However, a later injury sidelined Jones from a scheduled defense against Stipe Miocic, leading to Tom Aspinall securing the interim title by defeating Alexander Volkov.
Since then, developments regarding both champions have unfolded. Aspinall recently defended his interim title by avenging a loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Meanwhile, Jones, whose bout with Miocic has been anticipated, has consistently dismissed the idea of fighting Aspinall, questioning his credentials despite Aspinall`s impressive 8-1 record in the UFC heavyweight division compared to Jones`s two fights in the weight class.
According to Sonnen, for the much-desired Jones vs. Aspinall fight to ever potentially materialize, Aspinall might need another strong performance first.
Sonnen concluded by citing a “remarkably good source” who indicated Jon Jones will be granted the six months he requested for inactivity. He reiterated that Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane is expected to be the next interim title bout. Sonnen continued his sarcastic commentary on the situation, highlighting the perceived illogic of defending an interim belt when an undisputed champion is present but inactive, attributing it to the sport`s flexible rulemaking.
