It seems as though current UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is set to defend his strap once more in lieu of a title unification bout with Jon Jones, per industry insider Chael Sonnen.
Sonnen Believed Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Superfight Ready To Go
For the nearly the past two years, fight fans and competitors alike have been clamoring for a monumental clash between the UFC’s current undisputed and interim 265-lb kings. However, due to injuries and Jon Jones and company president Dana White’s adamant stance on facing former champion Stipe Miocic first, Tom Aspinall has continually been denied his rightful shot at the throne.
What looked to be a silver lining for the Englander, though, Sonnen announced via this week’s Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast that the contest appeared to be all but official. Speaking with his co-host, Daniel Cormier, the two-time UFC title challenger stated, “I am confident enough to tell you that that fight is done, that fight is agreed all the way down to the date. That, I do have the confidence to tell you.”
The announcement sent waves of excitement throughout the mixed martial arts community, as many believed that the biggest fight to make in the sport seemed ever so close to materializing.
That excitement quickly turned to disappointment a day later.
Sonnen Delivers Sobering News Regarding Tom Aspinall’s Next Scrap
Taking to his YouTube channel a mere 24 hours after discussing the positive status of the impending heavyweight championship matchup, Sonnen instead reported that Tom Aspinall may end up having to defend his interim belt for a second time against French contender Ciryl Gane. The Oregon native further spoke about the speculated location of the battle between the two European powers, saying that they could throw down during the summer.
“The current plan right now, Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim championship,” Sonnen began. “Now, I will back the moves. I will back the moves with full integrity in place because our overarching theme, our constitution itself within the sport of MMA is 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. Not only are we going to have both, we are going to contend for a second time the interim championship. But we’re going to do it for the first time in the presence of our undisputed champion and we may or may not be doing that in nine weeks at International Fight Weekend.”
Chael Sonnen Delivers Scoop on Why Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Unification Battle Went Up in Smoke
Sonnen then provided more details as to why Jones didn’t sign on the dotted line for a high-profile showdown with Tom Aspinall, citing that his source informed him that “Bones” will apparently be receiving an additional six months to train for his inevitable second title defense.
“I’m here to tell you, according to a remarkably good source, Jon Jones is going to be afforded the ability to wait 180 days, which is equivalent to six months, which is what he asked for,” Sonnen said. “Tom Aspinall is going to fight with Ciryl Gane, which was, in fact, on the table many months ago and then Ciryl was gifted a decision in a fight that he lost against (Alexander) Volkov.”
