Since Tom Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 to claim the interim heavyweight title MMA enthusiasts have been clamoring for a unification fight against reigning champion Jon Jones. Yet, Jones has repeatedly dismissed these calls from both Aspinall and the fanbase, leaving many disgruntled with him and the organization.

Nevertheless, fans have not relinquished hope for this potential matchup, especially after a recent audacious prediction from former fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen, who suggested a possible timeline for the fight.

Chael Sonnen predicts the month for Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall showdown

In his podcast video, Chael Sonnen weighed in on Jon Jones’ next fight suggesting it would be Sergei Pavlovich, but claimed that’s not possible because Pavlovich was defeated by Tom Aspinall. He said, “The only reason it’s not is that he got beat, and Sergey never would have gotten beat if he hadn’t taken the fight with Tom in the first place, right? So, the more times Jon can get Tom to go out there and give him an opportunity to stub his toe, it’s just good business—it makes perfect sense.”

Sonnen also predicted when the Jones-Aspinall fight could become a reality, adding, “If Tom and Jon get in the Octagon, it is going to be on International Fight Week next year, which is in July, and that’s very relevant.”

Meanwhile, with Jon Jones preparing to face former champion Stipe Miočić this fall at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, MMA enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the matchup. Originally planned for UFC 295 last year, the fight was postponed because of Jones’ shoulder injury, leading to the Aspinall-Pavlovich interim title bout. Now, with Jones seemingly healthy and ready to compete, a victory could potentially set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown against Tom Aspinall.

This sounds really impressive, yet it seems a long way from becoming a reality. Jon Jones’ recent comments might reinforce this perception. In a recent social media post, he claimed he might retire after his fight against Stipe Miočić at the upcoming event.

Jon Jones hinted at his retirement

37-year-old Jon Jones is approaching the completion of nearly two decades in the MMA world. Throughout his journey, he has defeated everyone thrown his way and ruled two weight divisions within the organization. Now in the twilight of his career, Jones’ path has been marked by controversies and legal battles. Despite these challenges, the champion remains undefeated both in and out of the octagon.

And lately, a fan took a dig at Jones for his past controversies involving his wife in a social media comment. Known for his short temper Jones typically doesn’t take fan comments seriously. However, he responded with a new comment, writing, “Fun fact, after this year, Jon Jones will never have to work again, Retired at age 37. Winning.”

What are your thoughts on Chael Sonnen’s remark? Do you think things will go smoothly as the UFC legend predicted? We’ve recently witnessed that Jon Jones doesn’t seem interested in facing Aspinall in the near future. Share your thoughts below.