(Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Stipe Miocic may not be Jon Jones' last opponent after all.
It's no secret that the current UFC heavyweight champion is nearing the end of his illustrious career. At 36 years old, Jones doesn't have much to prove in the Octagon, and one of the biggest questions being asked right now is whether he will retire on top of the world.
Of course, it's possible that “Bones” will remain in the match after rescheduling his fight with two-time champion Miocic, but he's in the room because the interim title holder is adamant about unifying the title with Jones. Let's not forget that the elephant is Tom Aspinall. Since winning gold at UFC 295 in November.
read more: Sorry, Tom Aspinall! 'UFC will do everything in its power to protect' Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
But it wasn't Aspinall who caught Jones' attention in his second fight after Miocic. No, Jones has his eyes set on another potential challenger for the heavyweight championship.
“He's a bad guy,” Jones said of UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.X'. “Alex and Tom, who would you most like to see me fight?”
Pereira, who is in the shadow of Jones, has held belts in two weight classes and currently dominates light heavyweight, with dreams of conquering another division at heavyweight. This may not be the next thing, but it's definitely a strong “Poatan” challenge. That said, Jones' interest is peaked in a future fight with Pereira.
“If Alex P were to become heavyweight champion, would you consider him the GOAT?'' Jones Asked. “I'm back in the gym and my mindset has changed. That match after the hilt is probably the biggest move I can make next. This killer has already defeated many champions and is already a world champion. He is considered a legend by millions of people. I want Alex to have the biggest fight that the UFC can do and give him a chance to get revenge on all the great Brazilian champions that I have defeated.
“It would definitely be a huge fight,” Jones said of a potential superfight with Pereira. 3-Division Champion Potential Man and Goat vs. Real Goat. Even though they are the same age, their strengths are different. No one will dispute that it will be the biggest fight in MMA history. There will never be a fight that will generate such a paycheck. Marketing must be crazy. ”
Brazil's Alex Pereira, making his final appearance, will likely headline the biggest card the UFC has ever put together, at last month's UFC 300, the promotion's masterpiece. There, Pereira defeated Jamahal Hill by KO to get revenge on coach Glover Teixeira and defend his title for the first time.
Pereira got revenge on all of Teixeira's previous title opponents, with the exception of Jon Jones, who dominated the Brazilian in 2014.
Obviously, there's definitely an argument for Tom Aspinall to take on the undisputed heavyweight title as well. The British fighter is currently 7-1 in the promotion and put on the best performance of his career last fall, defeating division boogeyman Sergei Pavlovich in the first round to claim the interim title.
Despite his growing resume, Jones explains why the fight with Aspinall and his star quality are not a selling point.
“Actually, you think me fighting Tom will be bigger than Alex and I clashing? Tom only matters in the UK, newsflash,” Jones declared. “Pereira is one of the most divisive figures in this sport. Tom is a candidate who won the belt from other candidates. We had to save the main event at Madison Square Gardens. I'm thinking about the dollar signs, the legacy, the big picture here. It's not what it is.'' British fans literally just went through this with French fans. [against Ciryl Gane]. ”
read more: UFC News: Dana White defeats double retirement from Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic
Should Jon Jones stay after facing Stipe Miocic? Would you like to see him fight Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira?
continue MMA knockout Enjoy more daily coverage of UFC, MMA, WWE, and AEW.
