According to a former rival, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is unlikely to retire just to avoid facing interim champion Tom Aspinall.
The UFC`s heavyweight division remains a major topic of discussion, particularly due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the title situation.
Although there are currently two champions, only one seems ready for a unification bout. Interim champion Tom Aspinall has consistently expressed his readiness, while Jones has appeared reluctant to fight him.
Following his title defense against Stipe Miocic last November, many speculated that `Bones` might retire, despite UFC CEO Dana White`s claims that a fight with Aspinall would occur.
One of Jones` former adversaries, however, appears to side with White`s prediction, albeit against the popular opinion.
Chael Sonnen Predicts Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Fight, Citing Financial Reasons
Chael Sonnen, a former two-division UFC title challenger known for his commentary on major events, has weighed in on the heavyweight title situation.
In a recent YouTube video, `The Bad Guy` dismissed speculation about Jones` retirement, arguing that the fighter considered by many the MMA GOAT hasn`t accumulated enough wealth to walk away.
“They keep asking about Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall,” Sonnen stated during a media tour for *The Ultimate Fighter*. “Everybody that has asked the question has prefaced it from the standing point that Jon Jones is holding this fight up and refusing to fight Tom Aspinall. We don’t have that evidence,” he asserted.
“I don’t buy it. There isn’t two options for Jon Jones. Jon Jones will be offered a fight with Tom or he can not fight at all. When you’re a prizefighter, electing to not fight does not make you good at negotiating, it makes you unemployed.”
Sonnen concluded, “Jon Jones has done great, but Jon Jones has not made walk-away money. He simply isn’t at a point in his life or career that he’s going to be walking away.”
Tom Aspinall Breaks Unwanted Record Due to Jon Jones` Inactivity
The prolonged uncertainty has clearly frustrated Aspinall. His enforced period of inactivity since successfully defending the interim title against Curtis Blaydes last summer has resulted in setting an unwelcome UFC record.
Late last month, Aspinall became the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history. He held the temporary belt for longer than the previous record of 534 days, set by Renan Barao more than ten years prior.
Unsurprisingly, the fighter from Manchester wasn`t pleased when discussing this record during a YouTube video conversation with flyweight icon Demetrious Johnson.
“No, I`m not that proud of that, to be honest,” Aspinall commented. “The interim title is nice, but being the longest-reigning one?”
He added, “I obviously wanted to contend for the undisputed title during the time that I`ve held the interim belt.”
Aspinall is undoubtedly hoping that his extended period as interim champion will conclude soon, ideally by defeating Jones to become the undisputed heavyweight king.
Gareth Pendleton