Will Jon Jones clash against Tom Aspinall? While the MMA GOAT or the UFC has yet to confirm that matchup, what we do know is that ‘Bones’ is set to face Stipe Miocic very soon at UFC 309. Predictions are already flooding in, with MMA veterans sharing their insights through conferences and videos about what this highly anticipated legacy bout will entail.

Recently, ESPN MMA hosted a discussion featuring Brendan Fitzgerald, Chael Sonnen, Din Thomas, and Dustin Poirier to break down the upcoming event. During the conference, Sonnen addressed a significant misconception that could help clarify a lot of questions surrounding the fight. As the MMA community eagerly awaits UFC’s extravaganza in ‘The Big Apple’, insights from these seasoned fighters and analysts are sure to enhance our understanding of what’s at stake in this matchup.

Chael Sonnen clears misconceptions regarding Jones and his focus on fights 

Jon Jones has made it clear that his sights are firmly set on Stipe Miocic, stating he’s not interested in fighting Tom Aspinall at this time. However, Chael Sonnen, the ever-insightful “American Gangster,” suggests that this statement warrants a closer look to avoid any misunderstandings. “My interpretation is that Jon isn’t planning to retire or shying away from fighting Aspinall,” Sonnen explained. “He’s laser-focused on Stipe. The biggest risk for Jones, perhaps the most successful heavyweight we’ve ever seen, is if he starts splitting his attention. If he tries to fight two opponents at once, that’s when things could get tricky. Any notion that he’s dismissing Aspinall is a misinterpretation.”

According to Forbes, Jones has claimed that his legacy would remain intact even without a title unification bout against interim heavyweight champion Aspinall. However, Sonnen believes that Jones’s approach is all about focus—right now, it’s all about Miocic.

While Jon Jones’s focus remains on Stipe Miocic, ‘Honey Badger’ has thrown a bit of uncertainty into the mix regarding his next fight. In a recent chat with CasinoHawks, Aspinall expressed that while he hopes to face the winner of the Jones vs. Miocic bout, he’s also aware that both fighters could choose to retire. As a result, he suspects he might end up facing the winner of the Cyril Gane and Alexander Volkov matchup scheduled for UFC 310.

Turning our attention back to the highly anticipated clash between Jones and Miocic, Khamzat Chimaev, fresh off his victory over Robert Whittaker, weighed in with his predictions. The Chechen fighter has a clear favorite in mind and even went so far as to suggest that he wants the winner to consider retirement after their showdown.

Khamzat Chimaev chimes in his favorite for Jones vs. Miocic

Khamzat Chimaev has made his pick clear: he believes Jon Jones will emerge victorious against Stipe Miocic, and he’s not shy about sharing why. On the Eye AM Podcast, the Chechen fighter expressed his admiration for Jones, declaring him his favorite fighter of all time. “Jon Jones is my favorite fighter… I think he will win that fight,” ‘Borz’ stated confidently.

When the topic of age came up, Chimaev acknowledged the inevitable effects of time on athletes. “Of course, everyone gets older. As you age, everyone starts to lose,” he explained. However, he also noted that in MMA, a single lucky shot can change everything. “It can happen to anyone, but I hope this is the last we see of him. He’s been a legend, and nobody could beat him,” Chimaev added.

Khamzat Chimaev’s sentiments suggest a deep respect for Jones’s legacy, and he hopes the MMA GOAT will consider retirement if he wins. In Chimaev’s words, “Jon has fought many monsters, and in the end, he became a monster himself.” How do you see Jones vs. Miocic going down and will ‘Bones’ ever fight Tom Aspinall? Let us know in the comment section below!