What will happen when Jon Jones, the man with the most wins in UFC title fights, clashes against Alex Pereira, the only man to hold UFC titles at middleweight and light heavyweight? This question has been on the minds of MMA fans ever since ‘Poatan’ hinted that a third title at heavyweight might be his next goal in his already impressive combat sports career.

After his dominant win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, Joe Rogan asked Pereira about a move to heavyweight during the post-fight interview, which the Brazilian confirmed could be a possibility. However, UFC CEO Dana White has reservations about the move, as he explained in a recent interview why he isn’t keen on the idea!

Dana White hands Alex Pereira a warning about taking on Jon Jones  

Joe Rogan has always been vocal about the match-ups he’d like to see inside the Octagon. After Alex Pereira defended his light-heavyweight crown against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, Dana White revealed that Rogan approached him while he was waiting to hand ‘Poatan’ his belt and shared, “I’m standing up there with the belt and I had Joe Rogan in my ear the whole time we were up there, ‘Let him fight heavyweight. Come on. Just do it!’”

But the UFC color commentator’s request may not be something that White agrees with. During his recent appearance on ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’, the UFC boss was asked by the NBA legend about the possibility of seeing Jones standing across the Octagon from ‘Poatan’. White replied by confirming that, “Possible, I mean Rogan is pushing me right now, trying to make that fight”, but he confessed that taking on a fighter with the skills and experience of Jones might be too much to ask from ‘Poatan’ who only made his UFC debut in 2021.

The UFC head honcho further stated, “Jon Jones is a whole other level. Jon Jones is — I consider Jon Jones the greatest combat fighter of all time. When you talk about the [Muhammad] Ali’s and the this and the that. Let me tell you what, I got Ali’s picture hung everywhere. I love Muhammad Ali. I love Mike Tyson. Jon Jones is the nastiest dude ever in history.”

While the allure of a blockbuster matchup between the formidable fighters Alex Pereira and Jon Jones is undeniably enticing to the MMA world, White’s comments suggest he doubts ‘Poatan’s chances against ‘Bones’. However, according to Pereira’s long-time coach, the Brazilian may be the best candidate to challenge Jones’s dominance in the UFC.

Pereira’s coach claims fight against Jones is inevitable 

In the history of UFC, no fighter has ever captured titles in three weight divisions. But according to Plinio Cruz, Alex Pereira’s coach, ‘Poatan’ may be the first to etch his name in the record books. In a recent interview on ‘The MMA Hour’, Cruz stated about a move up to heavyweight for the Brazilian champion, “I like the idea. I think that’s a [move] that’s going to happen eventually.”

However, Cruz also mentioned that now might not be the right time due to the current state of the heavyweight division. According to Cruz, it’s “clogged” with fighters like undisputed champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall needing to compete first. But despite the hurdles and Dana White’s reluctance, ‘Poatan’s coach further went on to claim, “I think it’d be a mega-fight. I think [it’d be] the biggest fight this sport has ever seen”.

In conclusion, it remains to be seen if this epic showdown between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira will materialize soon. Despite Dana White’s apprehension, fight fans eagerly anticipate a clash between these two titans! Do you think Alex Pereira can make history against Jon Jones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!