On April 22 2025, UFC analyst Chael Sonnen shared news on his YouTube channel about interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s next fight. Sonnen revealed that Aspinall will face Ciryl Gane for the interim title, while undisputed champion Jon Jones takes a six-month break.
This update comes just a day after Sonnen claimed in a video that Jones versus Aspinall was a done deal, a statement he now admits may have been incorrect, saying:
“I might have said that. I also did believe that to be true.”
Why Tom Aspinall Faces Ciryl Gane Instead of Jon Jones
Sonnen explained the UFC’s current plan, stating:
“The current plan, right now, Tom Aspinall versus Ciryl Gane. Are you ready? For the interim championship.”
He also noted that Jones will be given time to rest, saying:
“I’m here to tell you, according to a remarkably good source, Jon Jones is going to be afforded the ability to wait 180 days which is equal to six months which is what he asked for.”
Sonnen added that this matchup between Aspinall and Gane was considered months ago but was delayed after Gane received a controversial win over Alexander Volkov.
“Tom Aspinall is going to fight with Ciryl Gane, which was in fact on the table many months ago,” Sonnen added. “And then Ciryl was gifted a decision in a fight that he lost against Volkov. That’s the way the story happened. And now we’re going to defend an interim champion with the existence of an undisputed champion.”
Aspinall has held the interim title since November 2023, defending it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024. Jones, who last fought in November 2024, beat Stipe Miocic to defend his title. Gane, a skilled striker, last fought in October 2024, winning a debated decision against Volkov. While Sonnen’s claims stir excitement, the UFC has not officially confirmed this fight, and his track record on predictions has been mixed, leaving some uncertainty.
