Former fighter Chael Sonnen doesn't understand UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones' alleged stance on the timeline for a unification fight with Tom Aspinall.
Months into 2025, fight fans are still none the wiser about whether or not they'll see Jones and Aspinall share the Octagon. While the interim champ has been calling for the fight since his crowning in late 2023, "Bones" has continued to actively avoid it.
Since Jones defeated Stipe Miocic last November, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed confidence in the matchup coming to fruition. The latest update, however, has suggested that even if the promotion comes to terms with the heavyweight kingpin, the fight won't be reaching the cage anytime soon.
According to renowned reporter Ariel Helwani, who was speaking on his YouTube channel, Jones "wants six months to prepare once the fight is locked in."
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, a former rival of Jon Jones' in Chael Sonnen offered a bemused reaction to that claim.
It's been four and a half months since that fight (against Miocic). Did he not train? Train with Aspinall in mind? Did he not full-well know the undisputed champion was going to take on the interim champion?" Sonnen said. "What do you mean you need six months? Six months from when? Six months starting when? Dare do I guess, you mean from right now, don't you?
While Aspinall continues to wait for news of the UFC's talks with Jones, he has stressed his willingness to fight any other contender next as long as undisputed status is on the line.