In the absence of Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall as the UFC heavyweight interim champion will be defending his title against Curtis Blayde. But even when Jones return he won’t be fighting Aspinall but will go for Stipe Miocic instead. How will it impact Tom Aspinall’s interim champion status? That’s a question in everyone’s mind. And Chael Sonnen has an answer.
Chael Sonnen on Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones
In a recent podcast with former UFC champ Demetrious Johnson, Chael said, “The interim champion can only exist when there is the absence of an undisputed champion. Therefore, the moment the bell rings for Jon Jones’ next fight, there is no longer an interim champion…
Tom Aspinall sitting in the front row with his shiny belt is stripped instantly.”
However, not everyone agrees with him. But is it true?
Fact Check
As per a post by X user, the claim is not true. And UFC has done it in the past with GSP and Whittaker. Where GSP fought Bisping instead of the interim champ Whittaker.
This is straight up not true. Michael Bisping fought GSP after Robert Whittaker won the interim belt. Rob was never stripped and was promoted to undisputed champ when GSP vacated.
— Rush (@Rush2Goat) May 16, 2024
Whittaker never got that unification fight as GSP retired before matching up with him.
Jones, who is also nearing his career in MMA might follow suit and retire after the Miocic fight and leave Tom hanging. (Hypothetically)
Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic at UFC 304?
In a now deleted post, Jones claimed that he will return in 2024 Nov to take on Miocic. However, he deleted it shortly.
In the past, Aspinall has called out Jones multiple times but Jones has not accepted his challenge. Jones is adamant on fighting Miocic and have even floated the idea of a fight against Alex Pereira.
Who Jones will fight on his return is still not official but it will certainly be Miocic. And Aspinall will need to beat Curtis before he can stake a claim at the heavyweight belt.
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