Dana White Offers Absolute Assurance of Organizing Significant Championship Contest
Dana White Offers Absolute Assurance of Organizing Significant Championship Contest
The UFC heavyweight title showdown between champion Jon Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall is set to take place. UFC president Dana White provided a 100% assurance that the fight will materialize during the post-event press conference following UFC Tampa on Saturday night.
White was questioned if he would arrange the fight and proved ready to provide a guarantee. You can watch the clip here:
Jones has been hesitant in accepting the fight with Aspinall in several interviews. The mind games have continued for months, resulting in Aspinall labeling Jones as a ducker for evading him.
Jones has enjoyed the banter, even altering his social media profile picture to an image of a duck. Despite this, White clarified that Jones has never offered any objections to a fight with Aspinall in private.
White stressed that the reigning heavyweight champion and great of the sport isn't fearful of facing any opponent. Jones comes off a devastating second-round victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.
Aspinall was present to witness the fight in person at Madison Square Garden. During an exclusive interview with me, he shared some insights gained by watching Jones up close.
Aspinall expressed that he left UFC 309 with heightened confidence about beating Jones once their opportunity to fight for the championship arises. Aspinall rated Jones' performance against Miocic a 9.5, but acknowledges the challenge will be significantly greater against him. White did not provide a timetable for the fight, but it seems like a contender for headlining International Fight Week, unless scheduled for UFC 313 on March 8.
Presumably, UFC 314 will be scheduled for April 12, UFC 315 on May 3, UFC 316 on May 31, with UFC 317 concluding IFW and possibly landing on June 28. Jones-Aspinall could feasibly headline any of those shows.
However, it is unlikely Aspinall would wish to wait for an extended duration. Aspinall has not competed since July. If he waits until June, he will have been inactive for nearly a year. Let's see how events unfold as Jones holds the advantage in this situation, but it would be a surprise if they faced off as early as March.
Chael Sonnen Suggests Belal Muhammad's Injury Might Be More Severe Than Admitted
If UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen is correct, another high-stakes title fight may be in jeopardy. Sonnen recently speculated that UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad might be out for an extended period instead of apparently so.
Sonnen discussed Muhammad in his breakdown of the aftermath of the bout between Shavkat Rakhmanov's unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310.
"Ian Garry showed what no other contestant could — over 70%," Sonnen stated in a video on his YouTube channel. "That's very impressive, and I'm advocating for Ian Garry. I believe the winner of this fight should encounter Belal [Muhammad]. And, sure, you can say, 'Hey, Chael, Captain Obvious, that's what he's going to do,' but that would imply you don't comprehend that Belal has a life-threatening infection in his leg. Belal should not have been there tonight. Belal is too strong-willed and heroic to disclose that, but that's what he's dealing with. He's the most dedicated worker in the room, and he can't even accomplish 50 push-ups at the moment. For him to engage in the ring, to confront opposition, I'm simply sharing this — that battle might be postponed, and we'll see if it even occurs."
Sonnen concluded by advocating for Colby Covington to take on Rakhmanov, but that part of his argument proved incorrect. Joaquin Buckley overpowered Covington, presumably eliminating his title aspirations.
As it stands, Muhammad might be out for a longer period than anticipated, which could necessitate UFC intervention.
- The highly anticipated UFC 313 on March 8 might see the headlining fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, as UFC president Dana White hinted during a post-event press conference.
- Tom Aspinall, who attended UFC 309 to witness Jon Jones' victory over Stipe Miocic, expressed confidence in his ability to challenge Jones once they meet for the championship title.
- UFC news circulated about Chael Sonnen's speculation, suggesting that UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad might be out for an extended period due to a life-threatening infection in his leg.
- In a potential shift, UFC hall of famer Chael Sonnen proposed that Colby Covington could face Shavkat Rakhmanov instead, given Belal Muhammad's uncertain return to the ring.