Alex Pereira Won’t Wait For Jon Jones Superfight

RIO DE JANEIRO — Alex “Poatan” Pereira is back atop the light heavyweight mountain, and he’s not planning to wait around for Jon Jones or anyone else to decide his next move. Fresh off his devastating first-round knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. Pereira is now a two-time light heavyweight champion and one of the few stars capable of drawing crossover megafight buzz in any division.

The victory over Ankalaev served as redemption for Pereira. Who was defeated by the Dagestani contender earlier this year at UFC 313. This time, there were no questions just a thunderous finish that reaffirmed Pereira’s lethal striking and cemented his status as one of the sport’s most efficient champions.

Pereira’s knockout extended his streak of four consecutive stoppage wins in title fights. A run that has seen him dispatch Jiri Procházka, Jamahal Hill, and now Ankalaev in back-to-back main events.

The Jones question

Speculation about a Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira superfight has hovered for months especially as Jones nears a return following a brief retirement and the heavyweight title vacancy drama involving Tom Aspinall.

At a fan Q&A in Rio, Pereira made clear he doesn’t believe Jones will keep him waiting if both parties want the fight.

“I don’t think so because that’s something he said in interviews he wants,” Pereira said. “I think he’s at a certain age that’s a little elevated for the sport, like mine, and we don’t have time to waste, I think he will be sincere if he’s interested or not.”

Pereira was referencing Jones’ recent decision to skip a unification bout with Aspinall and instead plan a 2026 return for the UFC’s White House event next June.

What’s next at light heavyweight?

While Jones looms as the blockbuster option. The UFC could first book Pereira against Carlos Ulberg, the fast-rising New Zealander riding a five-fight knockout streak. Ulberg has positioned himself as the logical No. 1 contender. Though Pereira’s drawing power may accelerate bigger opportunities including a potential move to heavyweight.

“This is MMA,” Pereira said. “Those who know my work, I always say you either lose or win, but I’ll prepare myself well to come out with the victory.”

A meteoric rise

It’s easy to forget that Pereira has only 16 MMA fights. In that span, he’s achieved milestones that most champions never reach:

• Won the UFC middleweight title in just his eighth pro bout by knocking out Israel Adesanya.

• Won the UFC light heavyweight title in his 11th fight, stopping Jiri Procházka.

• Defended titles four times, all by knockout or TKO.

The former Glory Kickboxing two-division world champion has now carried that dominance seamlessly into MMA. Where he’s already built a Hall of Fame résumé.

Legacy and humility

Despite constant talk about “GOAT” status, Pereira continues to deflect comparisons to legends like Jones.

“Results and records are not in my control,” he said. “Sometimes we do things, and people who have to validate that don’t do it. I’ll just do my job, and if they think I’m the best or No. 2 or in last place, that’s not in my control.”

The bottom line

With another emphatic finish. Pereira stands as the most feared striker in the UFC, and perhaps the most efficient champion of the era. Whether the next call brings Carlos Ulberg, Jon Jones, or a daring move to heavyweight, “Poatan” has once again proven that when he’s in the cage nobody leaves unscathed.