After fighting Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones sees two-division champ Alex Pereira as a legacy fight worth pursuing in his career. That is not surprising, given he has long maintained deep reverence for the kickboxing powerhouse. Jones has also expressed his interest in sparring with Alex Pereira several times. Upholding his usual strain of snubbing Tom Aspinall, he does it yet again.
Jon Jones expects to have his previously scrapped bout with Miocic to get rebooked once he returns from injury. The heavyweight recently returned to Jackson’s MMA Acoma gym and resumed training. Meanwhile, Aspinall fought Sergei Pavlovich when Jones was out to win the interim title. After a prolonged bellowing to unify his interim strap, Tom Aspinall finally called quits on his efforts. Jones has ‘Poatan’ in mind now.
If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT? Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.
Jon Jones via X (@JonnyBones)
While the interim heavyweight titleholder is chomping at the bit to unify his titles, Alex Pereira is gunning to move up. Pereira, 10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC, KO’ed Jamahal Hill with a left undercut shovel hook and voiced his interest in the 265-pound class at UFC 300’s post-fight octagon interview. With a successful LHW maiden defense, he has now run through former champs in multiple divisions.
If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT? Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 3, 2024
It would be absolutely massive. A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths. No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that.… https://t.co/B4LGC209sV
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 3, 2024
Jon Jones, widely considered the G.O.A.T, has similarly run through quite a foray of rivals. While in awe of the Brazilian fighter, he thinks Pereira challenging him for three-division glory definitely puts his G.O.A.T status quo at risk. More so than Aspinall ever would, who’s only famed in his turf.
Jon Jones considers Alex Pereira the most polarizing MMA entity to match with
On the lines of “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” Alex Pereira is the endgame for Jon Jones. The 10-2 double-division GLORY and UFC titleholder is the biggest threat to Jones right now. Pereira has long hinted at his enthusiasm to move to heavyweight. Maintaining a natural cut way beyond a 205lber, he has crossed paths with Tom Aspinall. He also spoofed a staredown with Ciryl Gane at the Ares FC Q&A session in France.
Alex Pereira, Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall (Source: UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) / X/IMAGO)Aspinall will spring into action at UFC 304, Live From Co-Op Live In Manchester on July 27. This marks his return since the spectacular 69-second KO on the same card ‘Poatan’ earned his hardware. However, the Co-op Live grand opening has stalled with misfortunes after technical issues and celebrity pullouts.
This isn’t what provokes Jones to veer target the light heavyweight champ, though; it’s his polarizing presence of getting to two-division champ status the fastest and mauling through four former champions in just two years.
Who would you guys want to see me fight the most, Alex or Tom?
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 2, 2024
You actually think me fighting Tom would be more massive than Alex and I colliding? Tom only matters in the UK, newsflash. Pereira is one of the most polarizing figures this sport has seen. Toms a contender who won a belt against another contender. We had to save Madison Square… https://t.co/JatZed5UUO
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 3, 2024
A few fans mentioned that Jones was just stretching out on ducking Aspinall. The undisputed heavyweight champion also pointed to the urgency in the essence of having a fight at the Madison Square Garden Arena. English fans prefer a scrap on their home soil, like the famed O2 Arena; Pereira is a bigger draw, who went 2-0 in MSG. As for Aspinall, Jones argues that Pereira holds a much bigger status. While his snubbing Tom Aspinall is nothing new, on this occasion, he might have made it too obvious.
