The UFC 309 bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has as much hype as it has drama surrounding it. The talk of Jones ducking interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is not novel but has been thoroughly amplified through this matchup and certain choice words from the UFC heavyweight champion. ‘Bones’ hasn’t been having a great fight week either, with many media members putting him on the spot with his comments of ‘Aspinall not deserving a title shot’, forcing him to backtrack when questioned.

Jon Jones has been accused of ducking fighters prior to Tom Aspinall, with the most recent being speculations of him ducking Francis Ngannou when the Cameroonian was the undisputed champion. Jones did admit to avoiding one fighter in his past, and that fighter seemed to take Jones’ admission as a compliment. With his trademark wit and analysis, UFC veteran and analyst Chael Sonnen was left scratching his head, wondering if Jones – of all people – complimented him while explaining his stance on the Aspinall fight!

Chael Sonnen left questioning Jon Jones’s remarks over “compliment” amidst Tom Aspinall storm  

In a recent video shared on his Instagram account, Chael Sonnen shed more light on a curious statement by Jon Jones that took him by surprise. Sonnen stated, “When Jon Jones brings this up, ‘I’ve never ducked anyone except Chael Sonnen on short notice and we all know why’, did he compliment me? I don’t think he did, but I don’t know where the insult is.”

The UFC veteran seemed genuinely puzzled, as he dissected Jon Jones’ words. According to Jones, Sonnen was the only fighter he ever avoided, specifically on short notice back in 2012. At the time, UFC 151 had just lost its main event due to Dan Henderson’s injury, and the UFC offered Sonnen as a last-minute replacement. Jones, unprepared for Sonnen’s distinct style with just eight days to prepare, declined.

The result was the UFC’s first-ever canceled event, leaving a bitter taste and marking a unique moment in MMA history. UFC boss Dana White had stated back then, “The one thing that I never thought in a million years would happen happened. Jon Jones said, ‘I’m not fighting Chael Sonnen on eight days’ notice.”

Reflecting on Jones’ recent statement, Sonnen further mused, “I know I’m getting put down, where’s the – what am I getting put down about? I don’t know, I assumed it was this, ‘because I’m better than Chael’. I assume that’s what we’re looking for as fighters. We’re not looking for somebody to push us, we’re not even looking for somebody to beat us. So if that’s not the interpretation then there is an ever so small chance that he paid me a compliment? Could that be?”.

With Jones brushing off a title unification bout with Aspinall, the echoes of UFC 151 ring louder than ever. Chael Sonnen, who has always thrived in stirring the pot, may just have illustrated the parallels between his situation and Aspinall’s. Yet, Jon Jones has recently indicated that there’s more to the situation behind him not wanting to fight the interim heavyweight champion than just ‘ducking’!

Jon Jones claims “nothing changes” for him if he fights Tom Aspinall  

As Jon Jones gets ready to put his undisputed heavyweight crown on the line against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, another name lingers in the background, Tom Aspinall. The surging Brit holds the interim heavyweight belt that he even defended, and fans are clamoring for ‘Bones’ to take him on. Yet, Jones’ response to those calls has left many wondering—does he simply see no point in facing Aspinall, or is there something deeper at play?

During a recent media event in New York, Jones explained, “You can’t duck a man that you were never scheduled to fight. Me and Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell) have never sat down and talked about Tom Aspinall. He’s never been on my radar. Never.”

For Jones, who has spent over a decade taking on the UFC’s toughest, the journey seems to be about more than just staying on top; it’s about building a legacy. And in his eyes, Tom Aspinall doesn’t add to that. ‘Bones’ further stated, “He changes nothing if I beat him. Beating Tom is just like beating Ciryl Gane. He has a whole country behind him. He’s hot right now. What happens to me after I beat him? Nothing changes for me. So, I’m not ducking Tom Aspinall.

Yet, this response has left the MMA sphere questioning – is Jones overlooking Aspinall, or is this a strategic move to cement his place in history by focusing on legacy-defining matchups? Chael Sonnen’s reflections bring up a familiar debate – one that fans may soon revisit if the calls for ‘Bones’ to fight Aspinall continue to build.

What will Tom Aspinall have to do to truly earn Jon Jones’s attention? Will the undisputed heavyweight champion oblige him with a title fight or continue to look for other matchups? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!