The heavyweight unification saga has had its fair share of phases. And it seems that the anticipated bout between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones will finally go down in 2025. At least that’s what Dana White has told the MMA community. Amidst this, former UFC heavyweight god-king Cain Velasquez has come out in support of Jones, suggesting that Jones would pose a significant challenge to Aspinall.

Velasquez believes that the veteran champion would be too much for the up-and-comer, praising Jones’ skillset and experience. However, not everyone agrees with Velasquez’s assessment. Former UFC fighter and verbose analyst Chael Sonnen has been critical of Velasquez’s analysis, offering his perspective on the potential matchup. Let’s see what Sonnen has to offer!

Chael Sonnen refutes Cain Velasquez’s take on Jones vs. Aspinall

Cain Velasquez, a former two-time heavyweight champion, is well-acquainted with the strategies required to succeed at the highest level. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Velasquez praised Jones for his ability to break down opponents and craft a strategic approach to every fight. Velasquez highlighted a key element of Jones’ fighting style: his uncanny ability to spot and capitalize on his opponents’ predictable tendencies.

For the unversed, Jones is known for using feints, deceptive movements, and unorthodox techniques to keep opponents off balance before landing powerful strikes. Keeping this in mind, Velasquez had quipped, “Um, so me just watching him, I kind of saw his pattern a little bit—in striking, the way he comes in and strikes. I think Jon sees it too. Jon, he studies, man.” Recently, Chael Sonnen also chimed in on the discussion, offering his perspective on the debate surrounding Jones’ potential matchup with Tom Aspinall.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘The American Gangster’ acknowledged Velasquez’s deep understanding of MMA but pointed out that patterns are something every fighter has, including Aspinall. Sonnen added, “If anyone who’s got a right for opinion it’s Cain freaking Velasquez. But it’s the opinion of a human being and could it be. Could it be that he clings to an era? It was a pretty in-depth and breakdown analysis by Cain. Let’s start with Tom this is Cain talking let’s Start with Tom. Tom has patterns as fighters we all have patterns. I have patterns everyone has patterns.”

Jon Jones may have claimed the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight title, but his greatness isn’t always fully acknowledged or appreciated. Amidst the backdrop of loyalty and rivalry, another name has been pretty much at the forefront of heavyweight greatness. And AKA head honcho Javier Mendez had a say on the matter.

Javier Mendez opens up about Cain Velasquez as a fighter

Cain Velasquez, who trained out of the renowned American Kickboxing Academy, made an immediate impact in the UFC when he debuted in 2008. His defining moment came in 2010 when he defeated Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 to capture the UFC heavyweight title. However, a series of injuries throughout his career hampered his legacy and prevented him from reaching the heights that many believed he was capable of. Despite this, Javier Mendez remains adamant that Velasquez had the potential to surpass every heavyweight in UFC history, including even Jon Jones.

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Mendez reflected on what could have been if Velasquez had remained healthy and reached his full potential in the Octagon. Iole asked Mendez, “I thought that Cain was that guy at heavyweight who might have been the prototype of what a great MMA heavyweight could be. Do you agree with that?”

Without hesitation, Mendez responded, “I’ve always said that. He was the greatest heavyweight that didn’t materialize. He’s still one of the greats, but he should be the greatest heavyweight of all time, and he should be, basically, the hallmark of what a great heavyweight should be.”

The question of what could have been if Velasquez had stayed healthy is a tantalizing one. And would a prime Velasquez have been the fighter to challenge Jon Jones for supremacy, possibly even beating him? These questions fuel ongoing debates among fans and analysts alike, adding a layer of what-ifs to MMA history. Do you agree with Velasquez’s analysis of Aspinall vs. Jones? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!