Alex Pereira is speedrunning through mixed martial arts (MMA) history.
The excitement towards seeing Pereira compete at Heavyweight immediately intensified after he successfully defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight title for the second time at UFC 303 this past month (June 29, 2024). “Poatan’s” second round head kick knockout (watch highlights) of former champion, Jiri Prochazka, got the world wondering: Just how would this otherworldly striker do in the land of giants?
According to UFC CEO, Dana White, there’s a chance we could get to find out sooner rather than later.
“It’s a possibility,” White said of Pereira moving to Heavyweight on The Big Podcast. “[Joe] Rogan has been pushing me right now to try to make that fight.
“It’s just, guys, let me explain something to you,” he continued. “Jon Jones is a whole other level. Jon Jones is — I consider Jon Jones the greatest combat fighter of all time. When you talk about the [Muhammad] Ali’s and the this and the that. Let me tell you what, I got Ali’s picture hung everywhere. I love Muhammad Ali. I love Mike Tyson. Jon Jones is the nastiest dude ever in history.”
A match up against the undisputed Heavyweight champion, Jones, would undeniably be the biggest for Pereira. However, Jones is expected to return for his first title defense against Stipe Miocic once he’s ready, which is likely to be by the end of 2024 at the earliest.
In the interim, British titleholder of that version of the Heavyweight strap, Tom Aspinall, defends his crown in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 next weekend (Sat., July 27, 2024). Should Pereira stay to defend his title, Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev appears to be the frontrunner to be the next challenger.