There was a time when Jon Jones pounded the table to fight Alex Pereira, but he admits he feels the outcome would’ve been his for the taking.
When Jones successfully defended the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Stipe Miocic back in 2024, he showed more interest in fighting Pereira than he did Tom Aspinall, who was the interim heavyweight titleholder at the time. Pereira was the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Ultimately, Jones’ clash with Miocic was his last pro MMA fight, while Pereira’s bid for interim heavyweight gold fell short against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250. In an interview with ALF Global, “Bones” discussed how a matchup with “Poatan” would’ve gone.
“I’ve watched Pereira train,” Jones said. “I see his level of wrestling, and it’s way behind. I feel as if Stipe Miocic is a true heavyweight. He’s a big, big boy. Ciryl Gane, when you see him in person, he’s a big, big boy. Alex Pereira is not a big, big boy. He’s a lean guy. Right now, I think he weighs maybe 250. I feel as if my physical strength would’ve been too much for him, and I felt as if the moment I would’ve gotten him to the ground, my submissions would’ve come pretty quickly.
“Everyone knows that. I think that’s the clearest path to victory for me against a guy like Pereira, but we’re not fighting. I am a fan of him. I support him, and I want to see him do well.”
Jones and Pereira recently had a misunderstanding following UFC Freedom 250. “Bones” gloated on social media and called himself the undisputed GOAT after UFC CEO Dana White claimed Pereira would surpass Jones on the all-time list if he had defeated Gane. Pereira took Jones’ post as a dig at him. “Bones” cleared the air by saying it was a shot at his detractors.
If Jon Jones and Alex Pereira had fought, do you think “Bones” would’ve gotten an early submission? Would Pereira have caught Jones at the perfect time? Share your thoughts on this lost fantasy matchup in the comments below.
