According to Uncle Chael’s contract, Tom Aspinall will defend his second interim UFC heavyweight championship this summer.
It’s been nearly 18 months since Aspinall won the temporary title via a 69-second malicious KO over Sergei Pavlovic. Sadly, we are no closer to seeing John Jones unify his belt with his undisputed heavyweight crown today than that night in November 2023.
Things finally seemed to be heading in the right direction, as Sonnen claimed that Jones vs Aspinel was a behind-the-scenes deal and they had a contract all the way to the date.
Currently, “American Gangster” has pulled a full U-turn, and says the scrap between Aspinall and former interim title holder Ciryl Gane is a plan with international fighting week being allocated for time and place.
“The current plan is Tom Aspinol vs. Cyril Gain for the interim championship,” he said on YouTube. “Now I support the movement. Our overarching theme, the constitution within the sports of MMA, is fiercely adhering to the rules we make up when we go, so I fully align the movement with perfect integrity. So I like what ends at the World Championships.
“We are going to not only win both the interim champion and the uncontested champion, but we are going to compete for the interim championship once more. But we are going to do it for the first time in the presence of an uncontroversial champion.
Sonnen reveals why the UFC’s biggest heavyweight battle has collapsed once again in history
Why are there such sudden course revisions? As Sonnen explains, Jon Jones was granted six months of preparation time, reportedly demanding preparations for a fight with Britt.
“According to a very good source, John Jones will be given the ability to wait 180 days, which is equivalent to six months. “Tom Aspinall is actually going to fight Ciryl Gane, who was on the table many months ago. After that, Ciryl gifted him the decision to fight against (Alexander) Volkov, which he lost. That’s where the story happens.
“And now we intend to defend the interim champion with the existence of an indisputable champion. This is contrary to the laws of logic and the definition and provisional definition of champion in the Oxford English Dictionary, but we adhere to what we do consistently.
Jones has only fought twice since 2020, but it was his first title-winning performance against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He followed with his third TKO over Stipe Miocic to defend the heavyweight crown 20 months later.
If Sonnen is to be believed, it sounds like the “bone” won’t return to the octagon until November 2025.
Needless to say, if this proves true, fight fans will be furious.