Alex Pereira admitted he was caught off guard by the phone notification Friday morning.
Although he won't be competing during UFC 301 fight week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, promotion's light heavyweight champion Pereira (10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) is back in the spotlight thanks to a series of tweets. It has become. Works by UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“Well, I was surprised, especially after seeing the first message. I really didn't expect to see it this morning. I know we've been doing a very good job. There's a lot of people around me right now. There's all this hype going around. I talked about moving up to heavyweight and fighting on this card. I didn't think it would end up getting noticed so quickly. But it was a great honor and I enjoyed it because it was a very respectful message.”
Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC), who is recovering from multiple surgeries, has shown no interest in fighting other than a high-profile showdown with Stipe Miocic. On Friday, Jones proposed a fight with Pereira, calling it “the greatest matchup in MMA history.”
Pereira, who already holds UFC titles at middleweight and light heavyweight, has hinted at a move to heavyweight in an attempt to become an unprecedented three-division champion.
The biggest hurdle is getting the UFC to approve the transfer. However, Pereira believes a potential superfight could twist the arms of promotional brass members.
“I was so excited when I said I wanted to move up to heavyweight,” Pereira said. “But the UFC didn't seem to be into it at the time. Once I saw that they had no real interest in me moving up, I talked to my team and my manager and decided that I was going to be a champion at light heavyweight.” We decided to focus on the class, where we're doing very well, and we're keeping the weight in the back seat until something changes. I think so, but you need to check what the promotion wants.
“…He's been out for a while and wants to have another fight before that. There's a lot going on in the meantime, so I just want to stay active. I just want to fight. If the UFC wants to say to me, “Hey, this is the way to win fights at heavyweight,'' I can change the plan, and it'll work. But if there's nothing else, I think it's better not to deviate from what you have decided. It's draining for me and for the fans to have something in mind and then it doesn't come true. That's definitely a fight I want to do. It will take some time for me to move up to heavyweight, but I'm already a big man so it won't take long. So if they give me the go-ahead and say, 'Okay, this fight is on,' I'll be 100 percent ready. ”
Pereira refused to theorize whether he could earn “GOAT” status with a victory over Jones, who many consider the best fighter of all time. He spoke with nothing but respect for Jones and said he would decide his all-time power rankings in the court of public opinion.
“I don't think about that at all,” Pereira said. “What I think about this is to prepare, train, keep winning titles, stay focused. Everything else is up to the people to decide. The people who are watching and watching my accomplishments there. Whatever it is, it's up to them to decide if I'm the GOAT or not. It's not up to me to decide. I just want to prepare, do my job and be the best fighter I can be. is.”
“…We're both professionals. I have nothing against John. I have a lot of respect for him. We're both trying to make something. He's had a great career and has built a lot of things. I think it's going to be a very interesting matchup for the fans. I think it's going to be great. I am.
While there is a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds, especially since Jones has at least one fight scheduled before a future showdown, Pereira sees some undeniable truths about the proposed fight: This fight. will attract a lot of attention and bring results.
“We have the fans. We have the athletes. We have the organization,” Pereira said. “If you ask the fans, of course they're going to be super excited and excited about that game. We'll have to see. If the UFC gives us the green light and they show interest, we can make it happen. I think everyone will enjoy it.”
“…It's going to be a war. It's going to be a very fun showcase for the fans. All the experience and skill set that John has, as well as all the abilities that I've developed over my MMA career. , all the preparation I've done and the improvements I'm getting. I think it's going to be a great championship (match) and everyone will enjoy it.”
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