Alex Pereira is now refusing to rule out the prospect of a move up to heavyweight to take on the greatest fighter of all time.
The light heavyweight champion generally tends to downplay the prospect of a superfight against Jon Jones for an unprecedented third world title. But he is now looking at the possibility very seriously and believes the fight will soon be 'inevitable'.
First, the heavyweight champion must defend his undisputed title against the seemingly unbeatable interim champion Tom Aspinall. But then Pereira thinks neither of them will have any roadblocks to a possible meeting.
Alex Pereira says Jon Jones fight will be 'inevitable' soon
While he must focus on his own title defense against Magomed Ankalaev, Alex Pereira also understands the need for unification of the heavyweight titles. But he thinks once that's done and if Jones wants to win, a fight between the pair could finally be on the cards.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
“I don't know, because he has to go through Aspinall first,” Pereira told the media yesterday at the World MMA Awards in Las Vegas. “That's his next challenge, but I think if he passes Tom Aspinall it will be inevitable.”
That's a big if for Pereira, especially considering the run Aspinall has had since joining the UFC. Apart from a freak injury against Curtis Blaydes suffered a few years ago, he has an unblemished record, having only been out of the first round once in the promotion and winning it in the second.
Jon Jones would rather meet Alex Pereira than Tom Aspinall
While Jones has increasingly entertained the idea of facing Aspinall lately, he has always preferred the idea of facing Pereira. At 37, the all-time great is looking to cement his legacy with big-name wins and believes the Brazilian is a much more striking name than his British rival.
“He doesn't do anything for me,” Jones said of Aspinall before his win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last month. “If you're someone who really wants to see me challenged, then I get it. Like I said, seven years younger, about 35 pounds bigger than me, right?
“I understand. “Jon is so good, we finally found someone much younger and much bigger than him. Let's see how he does against that.' I get that story. But for me, if you were my manager, if you were in my team, why wouldn't you fight Pereira?
“That's a man the same age as you, and we're about the same size. Now I had to eat a big breakfast because I'm under 235 pounds. Pereira is running at 240, and he has some great accolades. From a business perspective it makes more sense.
“Fight the nobody who might be more dangerous, or the man with all the accolades, who is incredibly dangerous but will actually tarnish your legacy? Beating Ciryl Gane didn't change anything for me, it just made me a few more million.
“And it would be the same for Tom Aspinall, whereas, if you look back, 'Jon just beat Alex Pereira', it's bigger. It's just bigger. And anyone who can't understand that logic just doesn't want to understand it.”
Dana White has insisted that Jon Jones is next for Tom Aspinall
However, it appears there is now a way to get to Jones vs Pereira without first seeing a fight between the heavyweight champion and Tom Aspinall. That's according to UFC boss Dana White, who has been quite clear about his plans for the division.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“This is a fight they both wanted; it is the fight that needs to happen,” White told the media after UFC 309 in New York. “There's no doubt that Tom Aspinall is a bad boy. But Tom must wait until these legends settle their fight, and then Tom will get his chance.
“Because I believe if Jon Jones wins, Jon Jones will take that fight. Really, we'll have to work things out with Jon no matter how things turn out. But Jon Jones is a man who likes to prove everyone wrong.”
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