UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones would be open to fighting light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
“If there were to be a fight with a guy who’s still on our UFC roster who would not only be financially worth it but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira,” Jones said in an interview with combat sports reporter Kevin Iole.
“We’re both 37 years old. Right now, I weigh about 235. I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240. I think that fight would go much farther on my legacy than a young man who’s cool today and maybe gone tomorrow.”
Jones remains reluctant to fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in a unification bout following his upcoming title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. “Bones” has hinted that the Nov. 16 match could be the last of his illustrious career.
“I just feel Tom Aspinall, I don’t want to say (he’s a) nobody. He hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything,” Jones said, adding that he “more than likely” wouldn’t defend his title against Aspinall should he remain the champion after UFC 309.
Pereira (12-2) has emerged as one of the promotion’s hottest stars. The Brazilian fighter has risen to stardom after defeating rival Israel Adesanya to capture the middleweight title at UFC 281. He dropped the belt back to Adesandya in the rematch, marking his only loss in the promotion since debuting in 2021.
“Poatan” won the vacant light heavyweight belt by TKO over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 last year. Pereira scored a TKO over Khalil Rountree to retain his title at UFC 307 in October.
Considered one of the greatest fighters to step into the Octagon, Jones (27-1, 1 NC) has established a nearly perfect MMA career. A disqualification to Matt Hamill in 2009 is the lone blemish on his UFC record.
