Jon Jones responds as Alex Pereira says it’s up to Dana White to make UFC heavyweight title fight

Jon Jones has continued to tease a blockbuster heavyweight clash with Alex Pereira.

The two UFC champions currently rule the heaviest divisions in Dana White’s promotion and a fight between the pair would go down in MMA history.

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Jones defended his heavyweight strap back in November against the now-retired Stipe Miocic.

In the buildup to the bout, as well as in the aftermath, ‘Bones’ declared that he would prefer his next outing to be a ‘legacy’ fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira.

This was instead of Briton Tom Aspinall, who is the only man standing in the way of a superfight between Jones and Pereira happening.

Aspinall is the UFC interim heavyweight champion and has been calling for a fight to unify the division with Jones to no avail for months now.

The Salford-born man last fought at UFC Manchester in July, when he defended his status as the second best in the heavyweight division by knocking out Curtis Blaydes.

But 37-year-old Jones has never publicly admitted that he would like to take on Aspinall in a fight UFC President Dana White described as ‘life-changing’ for the latter.

Jones has pushed this narrative further in response to comments made by Pereira this week.

Pereira was engaged in one of his many public appearances when he was asked about a fight with Jones.

“There is an interest,” he responded. “There is a potential.”

“Even Jon Jones expressed himself. We wanted to do it. Now, it’s up to the UFC to make it happen.”

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Jones took to Instagram in response to Pereira’s alarming comments, sharing a graphic of his quotes with a ninja emoji.

This sparked wild reaction among the MMA community, as many fans believe pressure may be mounting on White from Jones’ side to make that fight happen.

“Jon can’t skip Aspinall, it would create confusion with the heavyweight belt,” one fan said on Instagram.

While another added: “If he gets past [Magomed] Ankalaev then Pereira deserves whatever match he wants.”

Pereira is scheduled to headline UFC 313 on March 9 as he takes on Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev with his 205-pound belt on the line for the fifth time.

However, should the Brazilian get past Ankalaev there will be very few options left for Pereira, who racked up victories against Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr in 2024.

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If he moves up to fight Jones, Pereira would create history in MMA’s biggest league as one of the few fighters to hold two UFC belts simultaneously.

Only Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo have achieved this feat in UFC history.

Back in December, White made a rare guarantee that Jones would ‘100 per cent’ fight Aspinall this year to unify the UFC heavyweight division.

“I think it’s probably the biggest fight in heavyweight history,” White said. “And it’s a massive fight in the history of the company, too. It’s a big fight.”

White also offered hope for MMA fans that the highly-anticipated fight between the heavyweight giants would happen in an interview with Piers Morgan last month.

“He wants to fight everybody…Yes, he thinks he will beat Jones,” White added.

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“I love it…I love that in a young, aggressive, talented heavyweight – that he actually wants to fight the best.

“The problem in this business is that you have guys who say a lot of things publicly, but behind the curtains don’t mean it. You know, don’t really want these fights.

“Tom Aspinall is not that guy. Tom Aspinall wants to fight all the best in the world, and I love that.

“[He’s] very good. We’re gonna find out though. We made this Jon Jones fight, and obviously a fight like that for a young, talented heavyweight. If he can win and beat Jon Jones it’s life changing.”

If Pereira defeats Ankalaev at UFC 313, MMA fans will expect White to announce the Brazilian’s next fight as soon as possible.

Pereira is the biggest star in White’s promotion right now and UFC fans are desperate for the 55-year-old to put on the very best fights, like he usually does, in 2025.