Chael Sonnen thinks Alex Pereira fights Tom Aspinall for interim heavyweight title after UFC 309

Chael Sonnen expects Tom Aspinall to should defend his interim heavyweight title once more after UFC 309.

Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) defends his heavyweight title towards Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 principal occasion at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+).

Jones continued to dismiss Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) as his subsequent opponent if he will get previous Miocic, and sees gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) as a extra profitable combat for his legacy. Sonnen sees a unique path for the Brit.

“I’ve all the time believed – and that is nothing greater than rumor, and I again this with a bit of proof – however I’ve all the time maintained that Pereira’s subsequent combat will probably be towards Aspinall, and it is going to be for the interim title,” Sonnen stated on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Daniel Cormier. “I even imagine I do know when it’s going to be. I imagine it’s going to be mid-January in California (UFC 311).”

Sonnen acknowledges that Magomed Ankalaev is the No. 1 contender at gentle heavyweight and ought to be subsequent for Pereira. With each Pereira and Aspinall anticipated to be in attendance for UFC 309, Sonnen thinks each fighters will probably be inserted into the aftermath of Jones vs. Miocic – however towards one another.

“I do imagine there’s going to be a panning to each of these guys,” Sonnen stated. “I imagine there’s going to be a dialog, however not as a result of they’re subsequent for the winner of Jones-Stipe. I believe they’re going to discover a strategy to get these two collectively and the winner will tackle Jones or Stipe. That’s purely a rumor, however I’m simply providing it.

“I’m additionally listening to that Pereira’s hand isn’t going to be fairly prepared by December however might be by January and, once more, you take away Ankalaev however you insert Aspinall, I simply assume there’s some legs to that. Now, there needs to be sure outcomes. Stipe is available in, he wins this, every part we simply stated is up in smoke, however I’ve by no means seen Dana White play checkers. I’ve all the time seen Dana White be two and three steps forward, and I’m telling you, I imagine the path they’re seeking to go if every part works out, Aspinall-Pereira.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 309.