Chael Sonnen criticizes heavyweight division's inactivity, spotlighting Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall's rivalry as a key issue.
Former UFC fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen has sharply criticized the UFC heavyweight division, describing its members collectively as “cowards.” Sonnen specifically addressed the ongoing Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall UFC heavyweight rivalry, questioning the lack of action and willingness to unify the championship belts.
Sonnen, who fought as a light heavyweight and once challenged Jon Jones for the title—losing by first-round knockout—has remained vocal about the current heavyweight landscape. He has expressed his support for British contender Tom Aspinall while openly criticizing Jones for sidelining himself and not pursuing a title unification bout with Aspinall, leaving the rivalry at a standstill.
Chael Sonnen Critiques the UFC Heavyweight Division’s Lack of Resolution
Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion, has repeatedly indicated a desire to return to competition as soon as later this year, yet no fight with Jon Jones has materialized. Sonnen contends that Aspinall may be facing an uphill battle not just against Jones individually but against the entire division’s inertia.
On his podcast, Sonnen offered a blunt appraisal of the division’s current state. He stated,
“I mean, the heavyweights are the biggest bunch of cowards that we’ve got,”
—Chael Sonnen, UFC Analyst.
He expanded on this viewpoint by highlighting the contrast between the division’s reputation for toughness and what he sees as its unwillingness to deliver decisive fights.
Image of: Jon Jones
“We’ve got a sport that’s full of tough guys. But if you were to condense them down, like who is truly the biggest wimp, it would have to be the heavyweights,”
Sonnen explained.
He further criticized the absence of a united championship and the reluctance of the current belt holders to set a fight date.
“Like you don’t really have a choice, you don’t have an intram champion in your division because your division is strong, you don’t have an unwilling champion heading up your division because your division is courageous,”
he said, adding,
“You don’t have two belt holders in a division that can’t agree on a date where they’re going to come, roll their sleeves up and figure this out.”
Daniel Cormier Questions Jon Jones’s Intentions in Heavyweight Title Dispute
Daniel Cormier, UFC Hall of Famer and former rival of Jon Jones, has echoed similar frustrations regarding Jones’s inactivity as the heavyweight champion. Cormier, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters, has faced Jones twice in heated encounters and now openly challenges Jones to clarify his plans.
Pointing to Aspinall as the deserving contender, Cormier urges Jones to defend his title, emphasizing the competitive urgency of the situation. On his channel, he remarked,
“Nobody gets out of this thing clean. … Jones has gotten through this thing clean longer than most people could ever imagine getting through this thing clean,”
—Daniel Cormier, UFC Hall of Famer.
He continued by stressing the importance of the fight for the legitimacy of the heavyweight division.
“But at the end of the day, there’s another young, up-and-coming guy that deserves—Tom deserves an opportunity to fight the greatest. If you’re the greatest, you go fight him. That’s how it works,”
Cormier said.
Future of the UFC Heavyweight Division Remains Uncertain
With Jon Jones yet to agree to a title defense against Tom Aspinall, the heavyweight championship remains fragmented and the rivalry unresolved. Both Sonnen’s and Cormier’s criticisms reflect growing impatience within the UFC community for clarity and action.
The absence of a unification bout and the perceived hesitance of the champions put the heavyweight division at a crossroads, where its reputation for toughness clashes with the current lack of decisive competition. Fans and fighters alike are watching closely to see if this stalemate will break, potentially elevating the division’s status and bringing much-needed excitement to the heavyweight ranks.
