Chael Sonnen claims that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is almost complete.
For over a year, one of the biggest stories in MMA is the potential battle between UFC heavyweight champion John Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinel and whether that will happen. Well, according to UFC Hall of Fame Chael Sonnen, that’s no longer a problem at any time.
“Alex Pereira was one of the most interesting guys we have in our sport. Submitted radio recently. “If John Jones kept it down, the opportunity would simply go to Alex Pereira to the slot. Pereira vs Aspinel is one of the consolation awards if you can’t get Jones vs Aspinel.
“They made a deal with John Jones and Aspinel the night before, at least verbally. This is inside information. I’ve never heard of this story anywhere else.
Sonnen’s claims appear to support recent comments from UFC CEO Dana White. DanaWhite recently told TNT Sports that the match was “a matter now, and we’ll sign and complete,” and that he was “very optimistic” about the matchup from Aspinall. But despite all this optimism, perhaps because Jones wants six months to prepare for the game. Or, according to Sonnen, Jones simply put himself back into the corner.
“I say one thing to you. John Jones wants six months. I don’t think it means that when John says it,” Sonnen said. “I don’t think John thought this would be a statement he could make, and I think that’s what everyone will go back and forth between this for three weeks.
“When John sat at the table, he first talked about Tom Aspinel, he said, ‘I need $30 million.’
“But one thing about it, get the money. The money won’t change. Get it as soon as possible. The only thing that puts six months between John and Tom is that there’s a reason they walk there and have a real fight. Anyone better wins.”
Earlier this year, Dana White suggested that there could be a fight this summer, which doesn’t match Jones’ rumored six-month demand. But as Sonnen points out, if this is all true, it’s lined up nicely for Jones to make yet another trip to the Big Apple this fall when the UFC makes their annual pilgrimage.
“Yes, that’s right,” Sonnen said when asked if he believed this year’s fight would happen. “I’m going to predict November, New York, New York. It’s not an internal scoop. I know they’re playing New York in November. I’m playing Vegas in December. It’s a massive battle. Maybe you’ll take it to the world’s battle capital.