Jon Jones is at it again – keeping fans and the fight community guessing about his retirement or lack thereof. First hinting that he would retire after UFC 309 during fight week, ‘Bones’ announced that he wasn’t retiring from MMA in his post-fight interview. However, he didn’t name the person fans were hoping for in Tom Aspinall, unsurprisingly. Despite telling Joe Rogan about his non-retirement after defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, the heavyweight champ revealed that the only fight he is in the market for is against Alex Pereira. If that doesn’t happen, however, he is more than happy to hang up his gloves.

“Yeah that [Alex Pereira fight] is kind of what I want. And if it doesn’t line up, then I’m professing my love for Jesus in front of everybody tonight and telling the world how proud I am of being an American champion, fighting in front of our President,” he said.

“Man if that was my last fight ever, I’m cool with that. That was the way to do it, in front of Donald Trump. I think one of the really good things about negotiating is being willing to walk away from a deal,” Jones told reporters at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference.

Of course, the fight that the UFC world wants to see is a heavyweight title unification clash between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, Jones has been consistent in shutting down any talks of that fight ever happening. It seems Jones is trying to strong-arm the UFC into giving him Pereira, using his retirement as leverage. And surprisingly, it seems to be working based on what Dana White said about a potential Jones-Pereira at the same press conference.

Dana White clarifies stance on potential Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira mega-clash

UFC CEO Dana White clarified at the press conference that he isn’t warm to the idea of Jones fighting Alex Pereira. However, he didn’t totally close the door on that clash either. After all, the UFC CEO had totally ruled out the idea previously, confirming, “the winner [of the UFC 309 main event] should absolutely fight Tom Aspinall”. But at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference, he claimed that he could be convinced to make it happen if both Jones and Pereira ‘hounded’ him for it.

“No. You know what tonight told me? Jon’s too big, great wrestler. You see how he took Stipe down in that first round? I like Alex Pereira, I like him personally. It just doesn’t make sense to make that fight. If they want it bad enough and they’re both hounding me or something, maybe I would do it,” he said.

White feels like that fight doesn’t make sense for ‘Poatan’ at all, given the size difference between him and Jones. We also shouldn’t forget the Brazilian light heavyweight champion’s lack of a definitive ground game, which would make him easy prey for Jones as soon as the fight goes to the ground.

Its just that Alex Pereira is killing it. Look at his age and what he’s doing right now. What’s the reason to go up and fight a guy that is so much bigger than you and such a good wrestler?… Money?” White said. While the potential Jones-Pereira fight is exciting for fans, it would once again sideline Tom Aspinall. In that vein, even Jones vs. Aspinall would garner incredible attention, and probably has the potential to break records. In either case, it’s a win-win situation for Dana White.

What do you think about Jon Jones wanting Alex Pereira instead of Tom Aspinall, and Dana White’s take on it? Do you think it’s fair to Tom Aspinall? Let us know in the comments below.