Is Jon Jones ducking fights, or is Alex Pereira about to call his bluff? Pereira is tired of waiting, and he's making a bold claim: he believes Jon Jones wants to fight him. And he's not going to wait around forever like Tom Aspinall did. But here's where it gets controversial – is this a genuine desire for a legacy-defining fight, or a calculated move by Pereira to stir the pot and force Jones' hand?
"Poatan" Alex Pereira, fresh off a spectacular first-round knockout victory against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, has once again ascended to the throne of the MMA world as the light heavyweight champion. This victory not only avenged his previous loss to Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March but also solidified his status as a two-time champion in the division. For those new to MMA, this means Pereira has twice held the most prestigious title in his weight class – a feat that separates him from the vast majority of fighters.
While a title defense against the surging contender Carlos Ulberg seems like a logical next step for Pereira, the rumor mill is abuzz with speculation about a potential move up to the heavyweight division. And, of course, everyone's talking about a potential megafight with the recently retired (and then un-retired) UFC legend, Jon Jones. Pereira, confident in his team's ability to negotiate, believes that Jones is genuinely interested in making this monumental clash a reality.
"I don’t think so because that’s something he said in interviews he wants,” Pereira stated during a Q&A session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when questioned about the possibility of a prolonged wait for Jones. "I think he’s on a certain age that’s a little elevated for the sport, like mine, and we don’t have time to waste. I think he will be sincere if he’s interested or not.” In essence, Pereira is saying that both he and Jones are at points in their careers where they can't afford to play games. They need to act decisively if they want this fight to happen.
This statement arrives amidst heavy criticism directed towards Jon Jones for allegedly avoiding a fight with interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Remember, Jones was the undisputed champion at the time. Aspinall made his intentions clear: he wanted to unify the belts. But Jones, after months of speculation and anticipation, briefly announced his retirement in June and relinquished his heavyweight title. He then reversed course, stating his desire to return for a fight at the next UFC White House event in June of next year. And this is the part most people miss: Jones' actions fueled the perception that he was strategically avoiding a dangerous matchup with Aspinall.
A potential showdown between Jones – who boasts an impressive 30-fight record with only one loss (due to a controversial disqualification) – and Pereira promises to be a massive event. The anticipation alone would generate considerable buzz and revenue. Now, how exactly would this fight play out? Pereira remains tight-lipped.
“This is MMA,” Pereira explained. “Those who know my work, I always say in my interviews that you either lose or win, but I’ll do my best and prepare myself well to come out with the victory.” This is a classic fighter's mentality: acknowledge the risk, but emphasize preparation and determination.
Previously a decorated kickboxing champion, Pereira has achieved remarkable success in MMA, particularly considering he's only had 16 professional fights. He captured the UFC middleweight title in his eighth fight, delivering a stunning knockout to his longtime rival Israel Adesanya. He then claimed the light heavyweight title in his eleventh fight, defeating Jiri Prochazka. He then defended the title three times in 2024, each time by knockout. But here's a question that could spark debate: are these accomplishments enough to crown him the greatest of all time?
Pereira is undoubtedly on track to become a UFC Hall of Famer and is considered one of the most dominant fighters of his era. However, he refrains from speculating about whether a victory over Jones would elevate him above Jones in the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) conversation.
“Results and records are not on my control,” Pereira concluded. “Sometimes we do things and people who have to validate that don’t do it. I’ll only do my job and if they think I’m the best or the No. 2 or in last place, that’s not in my control.” In short, Pereira focuses on what he can control: his training, his performance, and his commitment to winning. The rest, he believes, is up to the judges, the fans, and the arbiters of MMA history.
Ultimately, the question remains: will Jon Jones accept Pereira's challenge? And more importantly, do you think a fight between these two legends would be a fair contest, or would Jones' wrestling and grappling advantage be too much for Pereira to overcome? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
