There is a storm brewing in the UFC heavyweight division, but it is not what most fans expect. While everyone is focused on Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall‘s stalled unification fight, Chael Sonnen has identified a different cause for the delay: the UFC itself. The real narrative does not include one fighter refusing to fight the other. Instead, it is a complex game of business, image, and power, and it’s taking place quietly behind the scenes.
Chael Sonnen discussed the matter on his YouTube channel, and his opinions were quite insightful. Sonnen stated, “Jon Jones coming out and saying, ‘I don’t care. I haven’t fought in a period of time, and my brand is doing just great, and I got this little thing going on in Thailand because the brand is so strong, and I’m making money on it anyway.’ He is successfully showing us that he can move on without the belt, successfully.”
At first look, ‘Bones’ appears untouchable—as if he doesn’t need the UFC or the belt to make money and remain relevant. But ‘The American Gangster’ immediately added a twist to the story. “But he also doesn’t have all of the information, which is: those camps and seminars that want to have him don’t want to have the former champion.”
What Chael Sonnen means is that once Jones loses the title and is declared a “former champion,” much of his earning power is lost. He isn’t as popular as he once was, and promoters are aware of this. “It is very much a game of linguistics,” Sonnen explained, “and the moment he is stripped, and the moment he is a former champion, that value does decrease. That’s true.” After all, there have been champions in the past who struggled with finances after the world moved on from their past championship status.
‘The American Gangster’ quickly clarified that Jon Jones is not avoiding the fight. In reality, Sonnen believes Jon has been very open with the UFC about his viewpoint, which the company has embraced. This suggests that the delay is not due to Jon avoiding the fight, but rather a private arrangement or understanding between him and the UFC that fans have not been informed of.
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The picture gets much murkier when Chael Sonnen mentions a hidden pact between the UFC, Jon Jones, and the Briton himself. “I think it’s just that the UFC and Jon—and now apparently Aspinall—have all banded together to keep that set information that is agreed upon, and would be very intriguing. But for now, they’re keeping it from you.”
This extends beyond business, with each move meticulously planned behind the scenes. While fans eagerly anticipate the unification battle, the key stakeholders are keeping the specifics and scheduling close to themselves. But what if we tell you that the reigning heavyweight champion actually wants to tell you the details, but it is the UFC that’s hiding the truth?
Jon Jones blames the UFC for keeping fans in the dark
Building on Sonnen’s hints of a hidden deal, Jon Jones has resorted to social media to criticize the UFC for keeping fans in the dark. He made it clear: “I told the UFC my plans a long time ago. I have no clue why they haven’t shared them with you guys yet.” It’s a rare moment of honesty from ‘Bones,’ expressing anger not with the fight itself, but with the lack of transparency that is fueling speculation and distrust among fans.
Jon Jones is currently in Thailand, away from the spotlight, filming a reality show and working to grow his image, as his current ambitions extend beyond the Octagon. Even though Dana White has openly told fans that the fight will take place this year, “He’s fighting. He will fight.” The lack of a precise date or formal specifics contributes to the uncertainty, leaving fans yearning for answers.
And how do the fans react? They are all over the place. Some strongly support Jones, seeing his desire to progress beyond fighting, while others are disappointed, viewing his moves as delaying tactics. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall‘s camp is reportedly growing impatient, meeting with UFC executives to demand answers, with whispers that the Brit is prepared to move on if the bout does not happen soon. What do you think? Will we get to see the two fight in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
The post UFC Insider Exposes Real Culprit for Tom Aspinall’s Woes as Jon Jones Under Threat of Depreciating His Value appeared first on EssentiallySports.
