After Jon Jones’ Supposed Insult, Chael Sonnen Responds to UFC Heavyweight Champion ‘Ducking’ Tom Aspinall

UFC 309 is set to deliver fireworks, featuring Jon Jones in his highly-anticipated showdown against Stipe Miocic with the undisputed heavyweight title on the line. But the hype for the fight has been overshadowed by Jones revealing that he has no intention of facing interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall after Miocic! This has left the fans buzzing with Jones being blasted for seemingly ‘ducking’ the surging Brit.

And it didn’t take long for Chael Sonnen to weigh in, with his trademark wit and unfiltered analysis. The UFC veteran and analyst was left scratching his head, wondering if Jones—of all people—actually gave him a compliment as the undisputed champion tried to explain his stance on the Aspinall fight!

Chael Sonnen left questioning Jon Jones’s remarks over “compliment” amidst Tom Aspinall storm

In a recent video shared on his Instagram account, Chael Sonnen shed more light on a curious statement by Jon Jones that took him by surprise. Sonnen stated, “When Jon Jones brings this up, ‘I’ve never ducked anyone except Chael Sonnen on short notice and we all know why’, did he compliment me? I don’t think he did, but I don’t know where the insult is.”

The UFC veteran seemed genuinely puzzled, as he dissected Jones’ words. According to Jones, Sonnen was the only fighter he ever avoided, specifically on short notice back in 2012. At the time, UFC 151 had just lost its main event due to And Henderson’s injury, and the UFC offered Sonnen as a last-minute replacement. Jones, unprepared for Sonnen’s distinct style with just eight days to prepare, declined.

The result was the UFC’s first-ever canceled event, leaving a bitter taste and marking a unique chapter in MMA history. UFC boss Dana White had stated back then, “The one thing that I never thought in a million years would happen happened. Jon Jones said, ‘I’m not fighting Chael Sonnen on eight days’ notice.”

Reflecting on Jones’ recent statement, Sonnen further mused, “I know I’m getting put down, where’s the, what am I getting put down about? I don’t know, I assumed it was this, because I’m better than Chael. I assume that’s what we’re looking for as fighters. We’re not looking for somebody to push us, we’re not even looking for somebody to beat us. So if that’s not the interpretation then there is an ever so small chance that he paid me a compliment? Could that be?”

But with Jones now brushing off a potential fight with Aspinall, the echoes of UFC 151 ring louder than ever. Chael Sonnen, who has always thrived in stirring the pot, may just have illustrated the parallels between his situation and Aspinall’s. Yet, Jon Jones has recently indicated that there’s more to the situation behind him not wanting to fight the interim heavyweight champion than just ‘ducking’!

Jones claims “nothing changes” for him if he fights Aspinall

As Jon Jones gets ready to put his undisputed heavyweight crown on the line against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, another name lingers in the background, Tom Aspinall. The surging Brit holds the interim heavyweight belt, and fans are clamoring for Jones to take him on. Yet, Jones’ response to those calls has left many wondering—does he simply see no point in facing Aspinall, or is there something deeper at play?

During a recent media event in New York, Jones explained, “You can’t duck a man that you were never scheduled to fight… Me and Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell) have never sat down and talked about Tom Aspinall. He’s never been on my radar. Never.”

For Jones, who has spent over a decade taking on the UFC’s toughest, the journey seems to be about more than just staying on top; it’s about building a legacy. And in his eyes, Aspinall doesn’t add to that. ‘Bones’ further stated, “He changes nothing if I beat him. Beating Tom is just like beating Ciryl Gane. He has a whole country behind him. He’s hot right now. What happens to me after I beat him? Nothing changes for me. So, I’m not ducking Tom Aspinall.

Yet, this response has left the MMA sphere questioning, is Jones overlooking Aspinall, or is this a strategic move to cement his place in history by focusing on legacy-defining matchups? Chael Sonnen’s reflections bring up a familiar debate—one that fans may soon revisit if the calls for ‘Bones’ to fight Aspinall continue to build.  What will Tom Aspinall have to do to truly earn Jon Jones’s attention or will the undisputed heavyweight champion continue to look for other matchups? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!