A highly anticipated UFC heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall may finally be happening. On April 22 2025, UFC analyst Chael Sonnen shared details on the Good Guy / Bad Guy show with co-host Daniel Cormier. Sonnen claimed the fight is finalized with a set date, suggesting it might take place during International Fight Week in June or possibly in New York later in the year.
“I am confident enough to tell you that fight is done,” Sonnen said. “That fight is agreed, all the way down to the date. That I do have the confidence to tell you.”
He hinted that the bout might happen during International Fight Week in June or possibly in New York later in the year, saying:
“International Fight Week would make perfect sense, I, personally just in my heart, I always thought they were going to go back to New York.”
Addressing Doubts About Jon Jones Commitment
For over a year, fans have speculated that Jones might be avoiding Aspinall, especially after Jones fought Stipe Miocic instead of the interim champion at UFC 309. Sonnen pushed back against these claims.
“I’m telling you, this Jon Jones business, Jones will say a lot of things to the media,” he explained. “When he gets that phone call, ‘Here’s the guy you’re fighting. Do you understand? Yes,’ and that is what he will say.”
Sonnen also clarified that rumors of Jones dodging the fight are false.
“All of the other reports are not true. Jon has come out, he’s going to troll, he’s had some fun, he’s even tried to negotiate the media. Privately, he takes that phone call, it’s ‘Yes,’ or anything else that comes out of his mouth. Any answer that’s not yes is not yes, but that did not happen. That is a false report. Jon Jones has not ducked this fight. I wish he did. I’d love to bury him. he didn’t. He did not duck Tom Aspinall.” h/t MMAFighting
Jones has been a dominant force in the UFC, winning the heavyweight title in March 2023 against Ciryl Gane and defending it with a knockout over Miocic in November 2024. Aspinall, meanwhile, has held the interim belt since his knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023 and defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024. While Sonnen’s claim sounds promising, the UFC has not yet officially confirmed the fight or its date. Sonnen has a mixed track record with such predictions, and some fans on X have expressed doubts, noting his inconsistent statements about this matchup in the past. Until the UFC makes an official announcement, this remains an exciting but unconfirmed development for MMA fans.
