Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones made it clear who he wants to fight next, reigning undisputed UFC light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.
The native of Rochester, New York, last stepped into the octagon about a year ago. However, he has continued to plea for a spot on the upcoming UFC White House event in June 2026. UFC President Dana White isn’t necessarily sold on the idea, and publicly stated that he can’t trust Jones to show up.
In the midst of the dilemma, a potential showdown between Jones (28-1) and Pereira (13-3) has been brewing with anticipation. And both fighters can’t think of a better stage to square off, then outside the residence of President Donald J. Trump, next summer.
Jones vs. Pereira in 2026?
“I feel like he’s (Pereira) incredibly respectful,” Jones told No Scripts Podcast. “I feel like he’s a household name in America, and in MMA. Everybody knows who he is. He’s a champion. He’s in conversation of being one of the greatest fighters of all time. It would be a blockbuster event. I think the whole world would come out.”
Pereira dismantled Magomed Ankalaev by first-round TKO at UFC 320 in October, in a rematch for the UFC light heavyweight title. “Poatan” previously expressed his interest in a possible move up to heavyweight. With one name in particular whom he eyes at that weight class, Jones.
The two-time UFC light heavyweight champion revealed that he fractured his left foot during the outing against Ankalaev. As the injury may keep him sidelined until early to mid 2026, he didn’t rule out a possible return for the White House date.
“Bones” defeated Stipe Miocic by third-round TKO at UFC 309 in November 2024, as he made his first defense of the UFC heavyweight title. White aimed to setup a unification fight between Jones, and then-interim UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall. Instead, Jones opted to retire in June 2025. Aspinall was then elevated to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.
Just weeks after announcing his retirement, Jones re-entered the UFC drug testing pool, and resumed training. The two-division UFC champion had apologized to White for foiling his plans. Although Jones’ status with the promotion at this point remain questionable. Or if the UFC boss would give any consideration to a potential superfight next year.
“Either way that fight were to go, no one loses in that fight,” said Jones. “It generates so many millions for the sport. There’s just no losing when you have such high level people competing. Who respect each other.”
