536 days and counting — that’s how long Tom Aspinall has held the interim heavyweight title, patiently waiting for Jon Jones to finally step inside the Octagon. The division has been locked in limbo, and fans are fed up with the stalemate caused by Jones’ inactivity. While rumors swirled about Dana White targeting International Fight Week for the long-awaited clash, Chael Sonnen has now stepped in, hinting that this ultimate superfight may finally go down in New York. The wait might soon be over.

“It’s going to happen,” said the UFC CEO, Dana White, in his conversation with TNT Sports. He further added, “It’s done, but it’s not done. Not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date. But a fight’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of getting it signed now.” It’s done — or is it? That’s what the UFC CEO wants us to believe. But what does it really mean? It all comes down to Jon Jones, who has been demanding exorbitant fees to face Tom Aspinall.

Jon Jones has demanded a massive $30 million payday to face Tom Aspinall, and the UFC is considering the offer but is not keen on spending such an exorbitant fee on a single fighter. So, does that mean that this fight will never happen? Well, Chael Sonnen has come forward to drop some bombs. While having a conversation on Good Guy/Bad Guy, Daniel Cormier in astonishment asked the former UFC middleweight challenger whether he is certain that he has the dates for the Jones-Aspinall clash, “Are you breaking the news right now that Jon Jones is fighting Tom Aspinall this International Fight Week? Are you confident enough to say—to think—that’s happening?”

Responding to Cormier, ‘The American Gangster’ emphasized that he is not certain about International Fight Week which is set to begin on June 25, but he is certain that the negotiations of the clash have been done, “No, I’m confident enough to tell you that fight is done, though. That fight is agreed, all the way down to the date. That, I do have confidence to tell you. International Fight Week made perfect sense. It’s always going to go back to New York.”  Seems like Sonnen is certain that the big fight is going to take place at UFC New York 2025, which, in all probability, will take place in November.

Hearing Sonnen’s assessment, Daniel Cormier reminded that Jon Jones has asked for four months to prepare for his fight. To which Sonnen stated, “I’m telling you, this is Jon Jones business. Jones will say a lot of things to the media. When he gets that phone call—’Here’s the guy you are fighting’—do you understand? ‘Yes.’ And that is what he will say.”

Bold words from Chael Sonnen, especially considering that Jon Jones is not someone known for bowing to the UFC’s top brass. Well, sooner or later, Jon Jones will have to bend his principles as he is the heavyweight champion. Will he relinquish the title, or will he fight Tom Aspinall? That is the question that is yet to be answered. Interestingly, the interim heavyweight champion has come forward to drop some crumbs on the potential fight as well.

Tom Aspinall vows secrecy regarding next fight with Jon Jones

A spot in the International Fight Week for Jones and Aspinall seems unlikely, and Michael Bisping agrees. Why? Well, with Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev almost locked in to headline the event, Bisping thinks UFC wouldn’t want to put all its eggs in one basket. “They have done that, and they’ve done that multiple times. But that would be three blockbuster fights that could headline pay-per-views in their own separate rights. So, yeah, it’s just kind of an interesting one,” he explained. However, Chimaev’s opponent Dricus du Plessis is reportedly injured, leaving only Makachev as the only star big enough to headline the event. What does that mean for Aspinall and Jones then?

According to a video uploaded by MMA Pros Pick, Tom Aspinall has some news for his next battle, but he has vowed secrecy, “I know everyone wants fight news, but I do know what’s happening. I’ve had talks with UFC, as we know. I have been sworn to secrecy for a little bit, so stay tuned, stay over the channels, stay over the UFC channels, because as always, as you guys always do. But the news is coming hopefully very, very soon. But if you ask me, I can’t give the answer right now, but stay tuned, it’s coming.”

As the year progresses, Dana White must make a decision before fans grow weary of the situation and lose faith in the management. Given that, what are your thoughts on the potential fight? Share your opinion in the comments below