What does a fighter do after making UFC history? If you’re Jon Jones, you set your sights on a bigger, bolder challenge- and to everyone’s surprise, it doesn’t involve the next best bet, the (de-facto) division king, Tom Aspinall. For the unversed, Jones is the first fighter to successfully defend his title in three separate reigns after he slayed Stipe Miocic last weekend at UFC 309. “I may just vacate this thing and come back for a fourth,” Jones teased in a recent Instagram post, signaling a potential move that could shake up the heavyweight division.

The twist? ‘Bones’ might vacate his heavyweight title to pursue a super fight with Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion. This would effectively sideline Tom Aspinall, putting all the unwanted chatter to rest.

But what makes the Brazilian a more enticing challenge for Jones? For the consensus MMA GOAT, the motivation seems clear. A clash with Pereira offers the allure of a legacy-defining moment. Following Jones’ latest title defense, he moved up to #2, nudging Pereira down a spot to #3 in the P4P rankings. And this may very well be a point of contention for the duo to embark on a new rivalry of their own.

Moreover, ‘Poatan’ has expressed his interest in moving up a division to claim a third division glory which would also be a historic “first” in the promotion’s history. So, this battle may come to fruition in either of the duo’s respective divisions. But what could this mean for the future of the two heaviest weight classes in the UFC?

Two divisions await in anticipation of Jones’ next move

The connection between the two fighters goes beyond rankings. ‘Poatan’ has been a respectful admirer of Jones’ career, a sharp contrast to Jones’ view of other potential challengers. “If I’m being completely honest, I feel like Tom’s been such an asshole that I don’t want to do business with him,” Jones said at UFC 309 media day.

‘Bones’ has always chosen moves that keep him in control of his narrative. At 37 years old, with a record of 28-1, he has little to prove to his critics. The fight with Pereira would be a marquee event, likely drawing attention away from the heavyweight division while cementing his legacy as a multi-divisional champion.

Vacating the heavyweight belt would be a calculated move by Jones, effectively removing any obligation to face Aspinall. The English fighter has been vocal about wanting his shot at Jones, and after securing the interim title, he’s arguably earned his place in the conversation. However, a vacated belt would force Aspinall to focus on unifying the division with other challengers rather than chasing a fight with the undisputed heavyweight King.

For now, Jones holds the cards. His “clever plan” might sidestep Aspinall, but it sets the stage for one of the most anticipated matchups in recent UFC history. For fans, the question is simple, can Pereira’s striking brilliance overcome Jones’ grappling dominance? And for the UFC, can they possibly change their mind to bring this match-up to the table as Dana White has been against the idea of the two clashing ever since?

What are your thoughts on this prospective fight? Will it turn out to be just about titles or will it be about defining eras? Let us know in the comments below!