Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones at the White House “is not dead” per MMA Insider
Dana White most recently announced that Alex Pereira has decided to vacate his light heavyweight championship and move up in pursuit of three-division glory.
The former UFC middleweight champ and two-time light heavyweight titleholder had made it clear that he wants to go after a third belt since defeating Magomed Ankalaev in a UFC 320 rematch last year to reclaim the 205-pound throne.
Now with the confirmation that he’s finally moving up to the heavyweight division, he’s expected to meet Ciryl Gane or Jon Jones next for the interim 256-pound strap or potentially the undisputed championship if reigning champion Tom Aspinall decides to vacate.
Insider claims there have been some talks of Alex Pereira fighting Jon Jones on June 14
Ariel Helwani has said on his show that there were some talks about “Poatan” fighting Jon Jones on the White House card recently.
Helwani thinks Jones vs. Pereira can happen on June 14, and if not, the Brazilian will fight Ciryl Gane for the interim or vacant heavyweight gold.
“There have been some talks of him [Alex Pereira] fighting Jon Jones, and there have been talks of him fighting Jon Jones on the White House Card… Jon Jones on the White House card is not dead… There have been talks of this. Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira at heavyweight.”
Helwani added that something big is in the cards for “Poatan,” and if he doesn’t get to fight Jones, he will fight Gane for the interim or undisputed/vacant gold.
“They would do Alex vs. Ciryl Gane either for interim… Alex Pereira wants to make history. Now the only thing bigger than becoming a three-division champion is being the first guy to beat Jon Jones. He wants that. If he can’t get that, he’s fighting for interim or undisputed/vacant gold…. A big fight is coming for Alex Pereira.”
Check out Ariel Helwani’s comments below:
“Bones” and Pereira have both wanted to lock horns with each other; however, Dana White has not fully seconded Jones’ desire to fight at the White House, especially after the latter decided not to fight Aspinall in 2025 and chose to vacate and retire.
But for the June 14 card, Jon Jones has reaffirmed his desire to be on it, and although he now has arthritis in his left hip, he has confirmed that this medical issue won’t stop him from competing on the South Lawn.
Meanwhile, Dana White announced yesterday that he will announce the White House event’s fights next week, so fans will have to wait a little longer to find out if Jones and Pereira will square off on the South Lawn of the White House, and if yes, then will they fight for the interim strap, the undisputed, or a custom White House belt?
