According to Chael Sonnen, a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is virtually confirmed.
The potential heavyweight clash between UFC champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall has been a major topic in MMA for over a year. Chael Sonnen, a UFC Hall of Famer, suggests the question is no longer `if` but `when` this fight will happen.
Sonnen mentioned on Submission Radio that Alex Pereira was considered as an alternative opponent to pressure Jones into finalizing the Aspinall fight. He stated that Pereira vs. Aspinall would be a strong backup plan if the Jones fight couldn`t be secured.
Sonnen claims that a verbal agreement between Jones and Aspinall was reached the night before the Pereira vs. Ankalaev fight. He presented this as exclusive information.
Sonnen`s statements align with recent comments from UFC CEO Dana White, who indicated the fight is nearing finalization, pending signatures. Aspinall has also expressed optimism about the matchup. Despite this positive outlook, the fight isn`t officially scheduled, possibly due to Jones reportedly wanting six months to prepare. Sonnen suggests Jones` public statements about needing six months might not have been entirely serious.
Sonnen elaborated that Jones` initial mention of a $30 million demand was likely not meant to be taken literally. He believes Jones might be feeling pressured to request a six-month preparation time due to the public attention his earlier statements received.
Sonnen emphasizes that regardless of the timing, the outcome of the fight remains the same: the better fighter will win. He advises Jones to secure his earnings quickly, as delaying the fight by six months won`t change the eventual result.
Dana White previously hinted at a summer fight, contradicting Jones` rumored six-month request. However, Sonnen speculates that a November date in New York City would be a logical fit for this major event, aligning with the UFC`s usual schedule.
Sonnen predicts the fight will occur in November in New York, noting the UFC`s typical November event in New York and December event in Las Vegas. He suggests New York, with its record-breaking live gate, could be chosen over Las Vegas, the traditional fight capital.
