UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has given his take on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall.
Dana White hopes UFC heavyweight champion Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) will unify the title with interim champ Tom Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC). If the much-desired bout does end up taking place, Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) backs the undisputed champion to retain his belt.
“I think Jon Jones has a lot of experience on his side,” Pereira told TNT Sports. “Some people say, ‘Aspinall this, Aspinall that,’ but it comes down to experience. Jon Jones is a seasoned guy. He’s been there, so I think he wins.”
After Jones retained his heavyweight title with a Round 3 TKO of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, he expressed interest in fighting Pereira, not Aspinall. Pereira, who is expected to defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev, still welcomes Jones with open arms.
“Everybody knows my interest in fighting him, and I was happy to see the initiative he had to speak that on the microphone, to express to everybody that he wants to fight me,” Pereira said. “We both want it, but it doesn’t come down to us. We have to see what plans the organization has for us.”
“Poatan” had a banner 2024 in which he picked up three title defenses with knockout wins over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree. He won Male Fighter of the Year at the 16th annual World MMA Awards.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC champ Alex Pereira predicts potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall showdown
