Chael Sonnen believes UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones may require more than eight months for recovery.
Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) was withdrawn from his first title defense against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) at UFC 295 after sustaining a tear in his pectoral tendon that necessitates surgery.
As an alternative, the UFC arranged for an interim title fight between Sergei Pavlovich (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Tom Aspinall (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC), which will co-headline the event on Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. While White stated that Jones would need approximately eight months to recover, Sonnen believes it will take longer due to Jones’ participation in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency drug testing pool until the end of the year, as they remain the UFC’s partner.
“Jon Jones, don’t forget they took away all his performance-enhancing substances, so his recovery at this age will be very challenging,” Sonnen expressed to The MacLife. “This is a guy who has already been absent for three years. This is a guy who hasn’t taken good care of himself. I genuinely wish Jon the best, but I need to be realistic about this situation, and I believe Jon can handle my criticisms.
“In the best-case scenario, Jon Jones will be out for eight months. He will be 37 years old by then, preserving a fight with someone who will be 42 and a half.”
Sonnen views Pavlovich vs. Aspinall as the true title fight. With both Jones and Miocic’s recent inactivity, Sonnen anticipates that there won’t be much excitement for their rescheduled bout.
“If we reach that point, eight months later, which is the best-case scenario – remember, this is a significant shoulder injury,” Sonnen explained. “Jon Jones is 36 years old. He will be 37. They took away his growth hormone and testosterone. This isn’t like the old days when he could miraculously heal. If he remains in the USADA pool, and it takes eight months, it will indeed be eight months.”
For more information about the event, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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