Jon Jones has one belief about what his biggest potential fight is, but not everyone in MMA agrees with him.
The legendary two-weight world champion is currently preparing to face heavyweight great Stipe Miocic in his first defence of the belt since winning it at UFC 285 in March of 2023. But despite having an interim champion in waiting in Tom Aspinall, he seems more keen on a different groundbreaking fight.
Aspinall will even defend his interim title in quicker time than Jones when he competes at UFC 304 in Manchester this summer. But the American reckons that the biggest fight he can make at the moment is against Brazilian Alex Pereira, who has already won gold at middleweight and light-heavyweight.
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Jon Jones believes Alex Pereira fight is biggest in MMA history
The heavyweight champion has already dominated an entire generation of light-heavyweights, and is now heading into the twilight of his career. But instead of facing the next in line in Aspinall, he is more eager to take on Pereira, who would be making history in fighting for an unprecedented third belt.
Pereira won world honurs at 185lb when he defeated Israel Adeanya in 2022, before losing their rematch and going up to 205lb. There he has already breezed through and won another belt, all of this coming within 12 fights.
And speaking on social media with fans recently, Jones explained his case for allowing him an unprecedented third world title opportunity. “If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?” He asked.
“Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make.
“This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.
“It would be absolutely massive. A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths.
“No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.”
Ben Askren claims Jon Jones is ‘gaslighting’ fans with Alex Pereira callout
While many agree with Jones, and there’s no doubting Pereira’s ostensible star power, there is discontent with some in the sport. Former Bellator and ONE FC champion Ben Askren believes that Jones is simply looking for the easier opponent, and believes the inexperienced Pereira to be that.
Jones’ base for MMA came from wrestling, and he has grappled with the best of them during his iconic run. But after bulking considerably and taking multiple year-plus breaks from competition, Askren believes he sees the natural heavyweight all-rounder Aspinall as a tougher fight.
As such, he reckons that Jones is spinning a web for fans, telling Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel: “We want to see Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall. Aspinall’s got the interim belt. Jon’s got the belt.
“It just doesn’t make any sense. Make them fight and then if Jon beats him then Pereira versus Jon or something to that effect, but you can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting over here with the interim belt.”
“What Jon sees Pereira as a significantly easier opponent than Aspinall. He does, there’s no doubt about that. Aspinall, he’s big and strong, hits hard, and is tough to take down and he wrestles a little bit.
“He knows what he’s doing on the ground. Jon has seen Pereira and thinks, ‘I can do the same exact thing that I did to Ciryl Gane. Same thing. That’s what he’s thinking, for sure.”