UFC icon Chael Sonnen has claimed Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is all-but officially announced.
The former light heavyweight title challenger, who fought Jones during his UFC career, went so far as to claim that the highly anticipated bout already has a date set.
Manchester’s Aspinall has been waiting in the wings for a shot at Jones’ UFC heavyweight titleGETTYBriton Aspinall teased MMA fans this week when he said ‘there will be news coming soon’ regarding his next fight.
He is the current UFC interim heavyweight champion, and has been calling to fight Jones, who is the king of his division, to unify the belts in a mouth-watering clash for years to no avail.
The 32-year-old surged to stardom in Dana White‘s promotion after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich to claim his current status, before retaining it against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Manchester in July – his last fight to date.
Jones has consistently avoided any talk of a fight with Aspinall, although the heavyweight title bout now seems closer than ever.
“I am confident enough to tell you that the fight is done,” UFC Hall of Famer Sonnen told fellow MMA legend Daniel Cormier.
“That fight is agreed all the way down to the date. That, I have the confidence to tell you.”
Cormier then made the point that several reports have suggested ‘Bones’ needs six months to prepare for an Aspinall fight.
“This Jon Jones business… Jones will tell a lot of things to the media,” Sonnen responded.
“When he gets that phone call, ‘Here’s the guy you are fighting, do you understand?’
“‘Yes,’ and that is what he will say. All the other reports are not true.
Sonnen said a date has been set for Jones vs Aspinall“Jon has come out, he’s been a troll and had some fun. He’s been trying to negotiate with the media privately.
“He takes that phone call. It’s ‘yes’… Jon Jones did not duck this fight. I wish he did, I’d love to bury him.”
This isn’t the first time Sonnen has made bold claims when speaking on Jones vs Aspinall.
In January, he predicted that Jones would retire if he wins or loses against Aspinall, but asserted that it will happen.
British MMA legend Michael Bisping agreed when speaking to talkSPORT in March, but added that ‘Bones’ should leave the sport for good if he doesn’t accept a fight with his fellow Brit.
“Not that Tom wants any sympathy from me, but I really feel for the guy,” he said.
British UFC legend has said Jones should retire if he doesn’t fight AspinallGetty“He’s in the prime of his life. He should be fighting regularly. He’s in the gym every day. He’s very humble.
“Why they haven’t made this match-up is beyond me, and if they don’t announce it soon, then they’re really going to talk about stripping this guy.
“If this was boxing, you would be stripped. If you don’t fight the mandatory challenger, you will be stripped…It’s just madness.
“Jones has been an incredible champion, but he needs to hurry up with this fight. Simple as that, or retire.”
Regardless of his current situation, Jones is arguably the greatest to ever step foot inside the Octagon.
Not only is he still the UFC’s youngest ever champion to date, but the American also holds the record for the most title fight wins in the promotion’s history.
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