Brendan Miller
A potential superfight has caught the interest of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Jones proposed the champion vs. champion matchup, despite the Tom Aspinall-sized elephant in the room.
“If Alex P became heavyweight champion, would you consider him the GOAT?” Jones he wrote on Friday. “Being back in the gym made me think differently. That fight after Stipe could be the next biggest move I could make. This assassin has already defeated so many champions and is already considered a legend to millions of people around the world. massive fight that the UFC could make. Give Alex the chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I defeated.”
“It would be absolutely huge,” Jones continuous. “A guy with a chance to be a three-division champion and GOAT against the real GOAT. like this. Marketing would be crazy.”
Pereira was pleasantly surprised by the idea. Pereira is one of MMA’s fast-rising stars, winning titles in two UFC divisions 24 months into his tenure. The light heavyweight champion expressed his appreciation for Jones’ recognition while doing media in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for UFC 301.
“I really didn’t expect to see this this morning,” Pereira said Addicted to MMA on Friday. “I know we’re doing a really good job. There’s all this hype around me right now. I talked about moving up to heavyweight to fight on this card. I knew it would get attention eventually. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but I was very honored and it was a very respectful message, so it was fun.”
The biggest obstacle to booking the superfight would be the UFC’s interest. Pereira called for a heavyweight fight at UFC 301 after knocking out Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 main event. UFC president Dana White shot down the idea, preferring to see the light heavyweight champion stay put. Furthermore, Pereira wants to remain active and Jones still has business with Stipe Miocic whenever he recovers from injury.
“This is definitely a fight I would love to do,” Pereira said. “For me to move up to heavyweight, I need some time – but not that much time because I’m already a big guy. So if they give me the green light and say, ‘Hey, this fight is happening,’ I’m 100 percent preparing for it.
“I respect him a lot. We’re both trying to build something. He has an incredible career and has built a lot. I’m building a lot in my career as well. I think we would make a really fun matchup for the fans. If that happens, I think it would be fantastic.
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall does not agree to the proposed superfight. Aspinall has repeatedly called for a title unifier against Jones or a fight with Miocic. It appears Aspinall must wait or take his time elsewhere until Jones and Miocic resolve the matter. Jones dismissed the level of interest in Jones vs. Aspinall, downplaying the interim champion as someone who “only matters in the UK” and “a candidate who won a belt against another candidate”. Jones’ disregard for Aspinall provoked a brief reaction from the interim champion.
Jones vs. Miocic was originally scheduled for UFC 295 last November, but was canceled after Jones suffered an injury. Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight title was elevated to the main event and Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title was added at short notice.
There is no timetable for the Jones-Miocic fight, but the other champions are in talks for fights. Pereira told reporters the week of the UFC 301 fight that he is discussing a rematch with Prochazka. Aspinall previously announced he would fight at UFC 304, in Manchester, on July 27, but did not reveal who his opponent would be.
