According to Chael Sonnen, the highly anticipated bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is reportedly close to being finalized.
Sonnen asserts that the UFC heavyweight championship unification fight has been agreed upon in principle, and a specific date for the event has even been decided by the promotion.
Speaking on his podcast Good Guy / Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier, Sonnen stated, “I am confident enough to tell you that fight is done. That fight is agreed, all the way down to the date. That I do have the confidence to tell you.” He speculated about potential locations, mentioning, “International Fight Week would make perfect sense, I, personally just in my heart, I always thought they were going to go back to New York.”
Jon Jones initially claimed the heavyweight championship with a quick submission triumph over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. After being sidelined for nearly two years with injuries, `Bones` reportedly defended the belt at UFC 309 in November, where he dominated and easily defeated former champion Stipe Miocic.
In the meantime, while the planned Jones-Miocic fight was anticipated, Tom Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight title with a first-round knockout against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. Aspinall then had a rare interim title defense, once again making quick work of his opponent, Curtis Blaydes, at UFC 304 in July.
Ever since Aspinall secured the interim championship, fans have eagerly desired a Jones vs. Aspinall confrontation. Their disappointment was evident when the UFC proceeded with scheduling the Miocic fight for Jones instead. This situation has fueled accusations from fans and pundits that Jones is “ducking” Aspinall or adopting a mindset focused purely on the biggest payday. Sonnen, however, suggests this entire narrative is a deliberate tactic employed by Jones.
Sonnen elaborated, stating, “I’m telling you, this Jon Jones business, Jones will say a lot of things to the media. When he gets that phone call, ‘Here’s the guy you’re fighting. Do you understand? Yes,’ and that is what he will say.”
He strongly refuted alternative reports: “All of the other reports are not true. Jon has come out, he’s going to troll, he’s had some fun, he’s even tried to negotiate the media. Privately, he takes that phone call, it’s ‘Yes,’ or anything else that comes out of his mouth. Any answer that’s not yes is not yes, but that did not happen. That is a false report. Jon Jones has not ducked this fight. I wish he did. I’d love to bury him. he didn’t. He did not duck Tom Aspinall.”
