There’s recently been a ton of talk about a potential UFC superfight between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones. The bout would rank as one of the biggest in UFC history, but according to Jones, it’s unlikely to happen.
That’s because UFC CEO Dana White is likely to shut it down.
“Pereira wants to fight me but I don’t think Dana White’s gonna allow that to happen,” Jones told Red Corner MMA in Thailand, where he is filming a reality show alongside UFC nemesis Daniel Cormier (via MMA Mania). “It’ll be interesting to see what Dana wants.”
The possible Jones vs. Pereira fight has been discussed as a possible addition to the upcoming UFC White House card. It would presumably serve as the headliner.
The significance of Jones vs. Pereira
Jones is widely considered the greatest fighter in MMA history. That reputation is thanks to a staggering run as UFC light heavyweight champion. He also briefly reigned as heavyweight champion. He retired after a 2024 victory over Stipe Miocic, but has been lured back by the significance of the planned White House card .
Despite his legacy, Jones has a history of legal troubles, failed drug tests and last-minute fight cancellations. Those issues led White to suggest Jones is not reliable enough for a spot on the White House card — hence the former’s champs recent statement.
Pereira has not achieved quite as much as Jones, but has built an incredible legacy himself. A former Glory kickboxing champ, he has now reigned once as UFC middleweight champion, and twice as light heavyweight champion. He has faced nothing but elite competition in recent years, defeating the likes of Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Jiri Prochazka, Khalil Rountree Jr., Jan Blachowicz, and Magomed Ankalaev.