Jon Jones Eyes Alex Pereira

In a surprising turn of events, MMA superstar Jon Jones has named Brazilian knockout artist Alex Pereira as a potential opponent for a future bout, should he choose to continue his legendary career beyond UFC 309. Scheduled to take place on November 16, Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, but is already eyeing Pereira, a reigning champion in the sport, as someone who could add substantial value to his legacy.

Jones' Statement on Pereira

Speaking with journalist Kevin Iole, the 37-year-old heavyweight champion expressed his belief that a fight with Pereira would not only be financially lucrative but would also hold significant historical weight. "If there were to be a fight of a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira," said Jones.

Pereira's Achievements

Pereira has made an incredible impact in the UFC, having captured titles in two different weight classes and boasting a string of victories over five former champions. Currently on a five-fight win streak, with four of those wins coming by knockout, he is rapidly becoming one of the biggest names in MMA.

Jones Dismisses Aspinall

In contrast, Jones has a rather dismissive view of UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Despite Aspinall's impressive rise in the division and a record of 8 wins and just 1 loss—admiringly, all finishes in the first two rounds—Jones feels the young fighter has yet to prove himself on a larger scale. "I feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything," Jones remarked. He referred to Aspinall's title win against Sergei Pavlovich, suggesting that Pavlovich’s recent defeat to Alexander Volkov calls Aspinall's credentials into question.

Jones on Legacy Over Contenders

Jones has been in the UFC for over 16 years and has witnessed many promising talents come and go, leading him to prioritize legacy over chasing down the latest contenders. "I’m here for legacy. I’ve been gambling for too long to just take random fights," he stated, implying that he’s looking to match up against fighters who will be remembered in the history books, rather than those who might be “hot today” but forgotten tomorrow.

Looking Forward

For now, UFC fans are eagerly anticipating Jones' return as he faces Miocic, and it remains to be seen whether a fight with Pereira will come to fruition or if Aspinall can prove Jones wrong and earn his shot in the octagon.

Fan Opinions

Stay tuned as we follow these heavyweight stories unfold! What do you think about Jones' opinions on aspiring fighters? Let us know!