Imagine a fight where everyone wins, even the loser. That's exactly what Alex Pereira believes a showdown with Jon Jones would be. But is he right, or is this just wishful thinking?
Fresh off his stunning knockout victory against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, which saw him reclaim the light heavyweight championship, Alex Pereira finds himself at a career crossroads. He has several tempting paths before him. He could defend his newly won title against the formidable Carlos Ulberg, a challenge that would solidify his reign in the light heavyweight division. Or, he could chase even greater glory by moving up to the heavyweight division for a superfight of epic proportions. Two potential opponents loom large: Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion, and the legendary Jon Jones, who has hinted at a return.
Jones, despite earlier whispers of retirement, has publicly stated his intention to compete at a UFC event potentially scheduled for next June – a "White House event," as some are calling it. Intriguingly, Jones has also previously expressed interest in facing Pereira. This public interest from Jones is a major reason why Pereira remains optimistic about the potential matchup, as he stated in a recent interview. He believes that if the UFC matchmakers are serious about making exciting fights, this one is a no-brainer.
And this is the part most people miss... The timing for Pereira to make a move to heavyweight seems almost divinely ordained. A victory over Jones would not only be a monumental achievement, but it would also allow him to accomplish something unprecedented in UFC history: winning championships in three different weight divisions. This would solidify his place among the sport's all-time greats. This is a feat that no fighter has ever accomplished, making the potential reward incredibly enticing.
"I’ve always talked about this fight, about moving up to heavyweight," Pereira explained. "But then I said to myself, ‘Man, stay in your weight class.’ I wanted to stay in my weight class, I cared about my health, etc. But I’m 38 now, and at the same time, I’m thinking about my career. I think that’s the fight which needs to happen. Even Jon Jones was talking about this fight. That’s what he said in his interview the other day, right?" Pereira’s comments highlight the delicate balance he’s trying to strike between preserving his long-term health and seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Pereira's resume already reads like a highlight reel. He conquered the world of kickboxing, becoming a two-division champion in Glory Kickboxing. He then transitioned to MMA and replicated that success, stunning the world by knocking out his longtime rival, Israel Adesanya, at UFC 281 to capture the middleweight title. He followed that up by claiming the vacant light heavyweight title with a second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 291, further cementing his legacy. While he lost the immediate rematch to Adesanya, failing to defend his 185-pound title, he successfully defended his 205-pound belt three times in 2025 before suffering a TKO loss to Ankalaev in their first bout.
But here's where it gets controversial... A victory over Jones would be more than just another title win. It would be the first true defeat on Jones' record. While Jones' professional record stands at 30 fights, he has only one loss by disqualification, and a knockout win over Daniel Cormier was overturned to a no-contest due to a positive drug test. Handing Jones a definitive defeat would elevate Pereira to a level of legendary status rarely seen in combat sports. Even if he loses, Pereira believes the fight would be so highly anticipated and talked about that neither fighter would suffer any lasting damage to their legacies.
“I think the same way he does,” Pereira stated. “We’re both big names. No matter what happens, nobody loses in this fight.”
TOP STORIES
- Fight! Brendan Allen has added personal motivation to beat Reinier de Ridder this Saturday at UFC Vancouver. Apparently, there's no love lost between these two!
- Trilogy? Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman are set to meet again, but this time in the boxing ring. Will this finally settle their rivalry?
- Ailment. Alex Pereira claims he was even more physically compromised than Magomed Ankalaev heading into their rematch. Can you imagine fighting at that level while injured?
- Forever. Ronda Rousey doesn’t think “anyone’s ever really done” with fighting. Could we see her back in the Octagon someday?
- Boo. The Ali Revival Act provisions move one step closer to becoming reality. Several ex-UFC fighters object. This is a developing story with strong opinions on both sides.
VIDEO STEW
- Between the Links.
- MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Brendan Allen ahead of his short-notice main event fight at UFC Vancouver.
- Alexander Volkanovski rolls with Craig Jones.
- UFC Vancouver ceremonial weigh-in.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
- We didn’t want it that badly, Chris.
- Chainsaw Max.
- Caio?
- We all need a Glover in our lives.
- History.
- Is this AI?
FINAL THOUGHTS
I should be more hyped for the prospect of Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones, but it’s not hitting me for some reason? Maybe I’m a Carlos Ulberg truther. Maybe I don’t want to wait until June for Pereira to fight again. Maybe I just want Jones to go away and mean it this time.
EXIT POLL
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So, what do you think? Is Pereira right – is a fight with Jon Jones a no-lose situation for both fighters? Or is he underestimating the potential damage a loss could inflict on his legacy, or Jones' for that matter? And what about the risk of injury, especially given Pereira's age and recent comments about fighting while compromised? Is this the right move for his career, or should he focus on defending his light heavyweight title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
