The fate of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is Chael Sonnen’s boldest prediction for 2025. Jones is 2-0 at the UFC 265-pound mark after a recent maiden defense. The GOAT fighter is now expecting a big “f—k you” money super fights or legacy retirement.
“Bones” defended his heavyweight title with a third-round TKO stoppage (punches) over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Jon Jones then expressed interest in fighting light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira or big bucks for title unification. Neither brass nor fans want to see the fighter not fight again. Prime instigator Chael Sonnen beleives in either case, it’ll be the last time Jones makes his walk.
If you wanted my boldest prediction of 2025, I’m actually very confident in the prediction, and that is that Jon Jones retires, …I will tell you that Jon Jones is going to fight Tom Aspinall,…He’s been looking for a way out…think Jon does have a pretty clear deal with the audience right now that there’s only one left for me, and I think that’s going to be Tom, and I do think that will be a goodbye for Jones.
Chael Sonnen via ‘ Good Guy / Bad Guy’ Podcast (@ESPNMMA) for ESPN2/ ESPNPodcenter
UFC CEO Dana White guaranteed that Jones would fight interim champion Tom Aspinall for unification. White admitted it’s the biggest fight to make in heavyweight and Pereira has work left down south. Jones admitted ‘Poatan’ was the bigger star to end his career on a good legacy note than Aspinall. He considered Aspinall’s resume lacking compared to Pereira.
Money and long fame are motivators in his desire to fight, Jones revealed in a recent interview; Chael Sonnen agrees. He’s in the market for one or two more fights, intending to make as much money as he can. However, if either of those matchups materialize, GOAT will be that close to the final time making the walk. However, the road so far has remained a brilliant stroke as a fighter, says another UFC veteran.
GOAT Jon Jones ducks Tom Aspinall? Actually just a ‘stroke of genius’, says Michael Bisping
Jones has been dismissive of interim champion Aspinall and wants to be paid handsomely to unify the titles. There is no one next in line after finishing Miocic. Even the promotional CEO said this matchup was a guarantee. However, Jon Jones noticeably keeps the trail of snub going.
Jon Jones UFC ‘DUCK’ is boosting unification sales (Source: X/heavy.com)Why does he? Is it because Aspinall is a stiff HW test for him? Aspinall does boast some indomitable bottom time and striking average. Michael Bisping thought it’s UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ negotiation tactics to make big bank. He might just be very close to making said bank, one worth retiring with.
As we know, Jon Jones kind of shied away from fighting Tom Aspinall leading up to the Stipe fight, which was an absolute stroke of genius in terms of marketing, …because it drove the demand through the roof, sky high, made it the fight that everybody wants to see…Well, guess what? The man is going to get paid properly more than likely. That’s the rumor.
Michael Bisping on his on his “Believe You Me” podcast (@bisping)
That rumor stemmed from UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealing the digits Jones wants. Aspinall and Team Jones have both iterated they are close to a contractual arrangement. There are many like Bisping who think “Bones” is that close to getting that sum and riding away into the sunset with a stout legacy.
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