UFC 309 is simply across the nook, with Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic set to lastly face off. Ought to the winner determine to not retire, does a megafight with Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall await?
Chael Sonnen thinks followers hoping to have that query answered have to pump their brakes.
On an episode of Good Man/Unhealthy Man, Sonnen claimed that he has cause to consider neither Pereira nor Aspinall will get the winner of subsequent Saturday’s predominant occasion; quite, they’ll must struggle one another first.
“I’ve at all times believed—and that is nothing greater than rumor—and I again this with a bit of proof, however I’ve at all times maintained that Pereira’s subsequent struggle will probably be towards Aspinall and it will likely be for the interim [heavyweight] title,” Sonnen mentioned. “I even consider I do know when it’s going to be. I consider it’s going to be mid-January in California [at UFC 311].”
A Pereira-Aspinall matchup wouldn’t be fully out of the blue, because the suggestion has been introduced as much as the fighters prior to now, although each have additionally expressed a want to struggle Jones, arguably the best MMA fighter of all time. Most lately, Jones said that ought to he defeat Miocic, he’d take into account combating Pereira subsequent.
There’s additionally the consideration that Pereira, the reigning gentle heavyweight champion, has a No. 1 contender ready for him in his division in Magomed Ankalaev. Nonetheless, with the UFC not committing to that matchup but, Pereira—additionally a former champion at 185 kilos—stays free to vie for a 3rd title ought to he make the bounce as much as heavyweight.
As soon as the UFC 309 headliner has his hand raised, who does Sonnen see the cameras going to first with Pereira and Aspinall each anticipated to be in attendance at Madison Sq. Backyard?
“I do consider there’s going to be a panning to each of these guys,” Sonnen mentioned. “I consider there’s going to be a dialog, however not as a result of they’re subsequent for the winner of Jones-Stipe. I feel they’re going to discover a solution 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 could possibly 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 must be sure outcomes. Stipe is available in, he wins this, the whole lot we simply mentioned is up in smoke, however I’ve by no means seen Dana White play checkers. I’ve at all times seen Dana White be two and three steps forward and I’m telling you, I consider the route they’re seeking to go if the whole lot works out: Aspinall-Pereira.”
