November 11, 2024 6:30 pm ET
Chael Sonnen anticipates Tom Aspinall to need to safeguard his interim heavyweight title once again after UFC 309.
Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) protects his heavyweight title versus Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 centerpiece at Madison Square Garden in New York (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+).
Jones continued to dismiss Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) as his next challenger if he surpasses Miocic, and sees light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) as a more profitable defend his tradition. Sonnen sees a various course for the Brit.
“I have actually constantly thought– and this is absolutely nothing more than report, and I back this with a little proof– however I have actually constantly kept that Pereira’s next battle will protest Aspinall, and it will be for the interim title,” Sonnen stated on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Daniel Cormier. “I even think I understand when it’s going to be. I think it’s going to be mid-January in California (UFC 311).”
Sonnen acknowledges that Magomed Ankalaev is the No. 1 competitor at light heavyweight and must be next for Pereira. With both Pereira and Aspinall anticipated to be in presence for UFC 309, Sonnen believes both fighters will be placed into the consequences of Jones vs. Miocic– however versus each other.
“I do think there’s going to be a panning to both of those guys,” Sonnen stated. “I think there’s going to be a discussion, however not due to the fact that they’re next for the winner of Jones-Stipe. I believe they’re going to discover a method to get those 2 together and the winner will handle Jones or Stipe. That is simply a report, however I’m simply using it.
“I’m likewise hearing that Pereira’s hand isn’t going to be rather prepared by December however might be by January and, once again, you get rid of Ankalaev however you place Aspinall, I simply believe there’s some legs to that. Now, there needs to be specific results. Stipe is available in, he wins this, whatever we simply stated is up in smoke, however I’ve never ever seen Dana White play checkers. I’ve constantly seen Dana White be 2 and 3 actions ahead, and I’m informing you, I think the instructions they’re seeking to go if whatever exercises, Aspinall-Pereira.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s occasion center for UFC 309.
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