A former opponent says UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones isn’t in a position to hang up the gloves over fighting Tom Aspinall.
The talk of the mixed martial arts town continues to be the heavyweight title picture and the cloud of uncertainty that has long hovered over it.
Two titleholders currently rule, but only one of them has given the green light for their unification showdown. While the interim champ has long been willing to fight, Jones has appeared uninterested in facing Aspinall.
Ever since defeating Stipe Miocic to defend his gold last November, many have predicted retirement for ‘Bones’. That’s even in spite of Dana White insisting Jones vs. Aspinall will happen.
While he may not be in the majority, one of Jones’ longtime rivals seemingly believes the UFC CEO.
Chael Sonnen believes Jon Jones will fight Tom Aspinall because he hasn’t made ‘walk-away money’
Former two-division UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen is often on hand to provide his takes on the major happenings in the UFC, and that’s been the case throughout the heavyweight title saga.
In his most recent YouTube video on the matter, ‘The Bad Guy’ rejected the ongoing rumours of Jones retiring by suggesting that the MMA GOAT contender is not yet financially set.
“They keep asking about Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall,” Sonnen said regarding his media tour to promote 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. … I don’t buy it. There isn’t two options for Jon Jones,” Sonnen continued. “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.
“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.”
Jon Jones uncertainty sees Tom Aspinall break unwanted record
The ongoing situation has no doubt proved frustrating for Aspinall, whose forced inactivity since defending the interim title against Curtis Blaydes last summer has led to an undesired UFC record.
Aspinall became the longest-reigning interim champ in UFC history late last month. His time with the belt surpassed the previous record of 534 days set by Renan Barao over a decade ago.
As expected, the Manchester native was less than thrilled when addressing the record during a YouTube video alongside flyweight legend Demetrious Johnson.
“No, I’m not that proud of that, to be honest,” Aspinall said. “The interim title is nice, but the longest-reigning one?
“I obviously wanted to contend for the undisputed in the time that I’ve been interim.”
Aspinall will be hoping that his lengthy reign as interim champ comes to an end sooner rather than later — and in the form of an undisputed title crowning at the expense of Jones.