Alex Pereira Explains Why He Wants Jon Jones — Not Tom Aspinall — at Heavyweight: “We’re Both Big Names… If I Lose or He Loses, Nobody Really Loses”

In the fight world, there are dream matchups — and then there are seismic clashes that redefine what’s possible. For Alex “Poatan” Pereira, the reigning two-division UFC champion and one of combat sports’ most feared strikers, that dream fight has a name: Jon “Bones” Jones.

While fans have been clamoring for a heavyweight showdown between Pereira and rising British star Tom Aspinall, the Brazilian knockout artist has made it clear that his sights are set on the sport’s ultimate legend — not the up-and-coming contender.

In a recent interview, Pereira revealed exactly why he wants Jones instead of Aspinall, offering an honest look at his mindset, legacy, and the reality of fighting at 38 years old.

“I’m 38 years old, you know? I’ve got to think about my career too,” Pereira said. “Even thinking a bit about what Jon Jones said the other day… ‘Alex is much more important.’ I’m on the same page as him. We’re both big names, and man… if I lose, if he loses, nobody really loses. It’s all good.”

🥊 A Fight for Legacy, Not Rankings

Alex Pereira’s reasoning strikes at the heart of what separates a great fighter from a legend. After conquering both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, Pereira has little left to prove. He’s already made history as one of the few fighters ever to hold belts in two different UFC weight classes — and to do it in less than three years of competing in MMA is unprecedented.

Now, as the conversation shifts toward a potential move to heavyweight, Pereira’s choice of opponent isn’t about climbing rankings or chasing new titles — it’s about legacy.

“Jon Jones isn’t just another fighter,” Pereira said. “He’s the greatest of all time for many people. If I fight him, it’s not just about winning or losing. It’s about sharing that moment, testing myself against the best.”

It’s an answer that speaks volumes. Pereira doesn’t just want to fight — he wants to make history.

And in the eyes of fans and analysts alike, a Pereira vs. Jones bout would be exactly that: a once-in-a-generation clash between two men who’ve already conquered everything below them.

⚡ Why Not Tom Aspinall?

Many fans — especially those in the U.K. — have been hoping for a showdown between Pereira and Tom Aspinall, the young British powerhouse who currently holds the interim UFC heavyweight title.

But Pereira’s reasoning for choosing Jones over Aspinall is as pragmatic as it is personal.

At 38, he knows every fight must count. Aspinall, though immensely talented, doesn’t carry the same historical weight or financial draw that a fight with Jon Jones would bring.

“It’s not that I don’t respect Aspinall,” Pereira explained. “He’s an amazing fighter, young, strong, and smart. But for me, it’s about legacy. Jon Jones is a legend. That’s the kind of fight that stays forever.”

In other words, while Aspinall represents the future, Jon Jones represents immortality — and Pereira wants his name etched into that chapter of combat sports history.

👑 A Clash Between Kings

Stylistically, the matchup is fascinating. Jon Jones, widely considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, has dominated nearly every opponent he’s faced for over a decade. His combination of wrestling, creativity, and fight IQ has allowed him to stay ahead of generations of challengers.

Pereira, meanwhile, is the ultimate striker — a world-class kickboxer with devastating knockout power in both hands. His rise through the UFC ranks has been nothing short of cinematic. From avenging his losses against Israel Adesanya to capturing the light heavyweight belt, Pereira has rewritten what’s possible for late-career fighters.

If the two were to meet in the Octagon, it would be the classic striker vs. strategist battle — raw power and precision against experience and versatility.

“Jones is a genius in the cage,” Pereira admitted. “I’ve always respected his style, his intelligence. But I’m confident in my weapons too. I’ve been through wars. If that fight happens, it’s going to be something special.”

🔥 Jon Jones Responds: “Alex Is More Important”

Interestingly, Jon Jones himself recently addressed the idea of fighting Pereira — and his comments seem to echo Pereira’s respect.

Jones, who’s currently recovering from an injury, noted that a fight against Pereira would carry far more significance than facing Aspinall.

“Alex Pereira is more important,” Jones said. “He’s a champion in two divisions, he’s beaten great fighters, and people love him. That’s the kind of challenge that excites me.”

Hearing those words from Jones only fueled the anticipation — and validated Pereira’s point. For both men, this wouldn’t be about proving anything to others. It would be about testing themselves against greatness.

And, as Pereira put it so bluntly, “If I lose, if he loses, nobody really loses.”

In that sense, both men stand to gain — not in rankings or belts, but in legacy.

🧠 The Reality of Time

At 38, Pereira is well aware that the clock is ticking. While he remains in phenomenal condition, the window for peak performance is closing. Every decision now must serve a greater purpose — both for his career and his story.

“I’m not here to fight forever,” he admitted. “I want big fights, fights that matter. I’ve already done a lot, but there’s still more I can give.”

That mindset has made him one of the most respected figures in MMA today. Fans see in Pereira something rare — an athlete who isn’t motivated by fame or money, but by meaning.

And facing Jon Jones, the greatest of his era, would be the perfect finale for a man who’s spent his entire career proving the impossible.

💫 The Fans Want It — And So Does History

The MMA world has seen countless super-fights teased over the years — many that never came to fruition. But if ever there were a matchup that deserves to happen, it’s this one.

Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones isn’t just a fight — it’s an event that transcends weight classes, organizations, and eras.

Both men are walking legacies, carrying the scars and stories of champions who’ve climbed every mountain.

“This fight would be about respect,” Pereira said simply. “Two warriors, two different styles, one goal — to find out who’s the best.”

⚔️ Two Legends, One Moment

Whether it happens at heavyweight or somewhere in between, one thing is certain: if Alex Pereira and Jon Jones ever meet in the Octagon, the world will be watching.

Not for trash talk. Not for hype. But for history.

Because when two men like this step into the cage — two fighters who’ve already conquered everything else — the result doesn’t really matter.

As Pereira himself said best:

“If I lose, if he loses, nobody really loses. It’s all good.”

And in the end, that’s what makes this fight — and these fighters — truly timeless