Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones has faced yet another twist in the form of Alex Pereira. Well, Jones and Pereira have already shown interest in fighting each other. But that does not mean the UFC will make that fight. CEO Dana White laid down some conditions for that one to come to fruition, and Tom Aspinall is at the center of it. 

During a conversation with Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim on First Take, on 5 March 2025, the UFC head honcho revealed his thoughts on Pereira as the future pound-for-pound best fighter. He said, “The thing that people love about Alex is obviously his fighting style. He tries to knock your head off. People love that.” On top of that, his loyalty to the sport further cemented his image in the public. White reflected on the time when ‘Poatan’ left his vacation in Australia midway to fight Jiri Prochazka on short notice and save UFC 303. He went on, “This guy will literally fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. He comes in, he’s pure violence, tries to knock you out, doesn’t duck anybody, has moved up a weight class, is willing to move up to heavyweight and fight whoever-”

Smith stopped White right there and wanted him to clarify one thing. “When you say whoever, you know the name that comes to people’s minds is Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.” The UFC head honcho cleared it out. He revealed that ‘Poatan’ was willing to fight ‘Bones’. Well, one could throw anyone in front of Pereira and he would take on the fight without a second thought. But was Jones willing to fight Pereira? That’s what Smith wanted to know. 

Dana White replied, “Jones will fight anybody too. Don’t let the internet fool you about Jon Jones.” Needless to say, Smith wasn’t oblivious to how White felt about Jon Jones. He did admit that the heavyweight champion was, in fact, the greatest of all time. But does he want to fight Pereira? The answer was a yes. White said, “He [Jon Jones] want to do it [fight Alex Pereira].” And if Pereira gets a fight against Jones, what about Aspinall vs. Jones?

Before he lets Alex Pereira take a shot at the heavyweight champion, White plans on making Tom Aspinall try his strength against Jones. The UFC head honcho is planning on making the fight for Summer 2025. According to White, if Pereira wins this weekend, he could be poised to face the winner of Jones vs. Aspinall, and not just directly face Jon Jones for the title at 265 lbs. This means there is a very realistic chance that Aspinall vs Pereira could happen, if the Brit topples Jones. So, with Pereira in the heavyweight picture, things might change significantly for Aspinall.

Well, that’s what Michael Bisping claimed. Even though Jones was adamant about staying in the 265-pound division and welcomed Jamahal Hill and others to move up and fight him, Bisping believed that Pereira’s win over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 might urge Jones to move back to LHW class. Let’s take a complete look at ‘The Count’s opinion. 

UFC veteran points to the heartbreak for Tom Aspinall if Alex Pereira gets to fight Jon Jones

‘The Count’ claimed that the man with the hands of stone might just eliminate the chances of Jones vs. Aspinall for good. Taking to his YouTube talk show, Bisping said, “Well, I’m just saying, I’m the biggest fan of Tom Aspinall, and he’s a personal friend, but if I’m Tom Aspinall, I’m starting now to, not get worried, because that’s just not in his nature. But if Pereira was to win at the weekend, do it in his signature fashion and get another highlight reel knockout and then on the microphone call out Jon Jones, the whole world loses its mind, right?”

Yes, before he could take on ‘Bones’, Pereira must first defend his belt against Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian is one of the prospects that the fighting community believes can defeat ‘Poatan’. But if the light heavyweight champion manages to secure a win at UFC 313, he might challenge Jones for a fight. The heavyweight king has already hinted that he wouldn’t mind vacating his belt for a super fight. And according to Bisping, Jones moving back to the 205-pound division to fight Pereira might be the next big thing in the UFC. 

Bisping might have forgotten, but Jones claimed back in 202o that he would never go down to light heavyweight again. It is to both fighters’ advantage to keep the fight at heavyweight. It avoids a draining weight cut and fans will get to see the best of both champions. The only realistic hurdle would be Jones’ belt, which obligates him to face Aspinall before anyone else.

What are your thoughts on the matchup between Jones and Pereira? Do you think Jones should fight Aspinall before taking on the fight against ‘Poatan’? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.