Jon Jones Expresses Preference for Alex Pereira Fight Over ‘Unproven’ Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones, a former light-heavyweight champion in the division currently held by Alex Pereira, has indicated that a bout against Tom Aspinall is “more than likely” not to happen should he continue his UFC career, expressing a preference to face Alex Pereira instead. The 37-year-old American fighter, Jones, is scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York on 16 November, though he has recently suggested the possibility of retirement. Aspinall, who hails from Manchester, holds the interim championship and is designated as the back-up fighter for UFC 309; however, Jones has dismissed the prospect of an immediate fight against him should Jones opt to continue competing. Jones conveyed his perspective to Kevin Iole, stating, “I feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything.” He further added, “I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me.” Jones indicated that he would consider facing Alex Pereira, the two-weight champion and current light-heavyweight title holder, if he were to extend his career in the octagon. Jones, who was a long-standing champion in the light-heavyweight division, expressed his belief that the Brazilian fighter would represent an ideal “legacy” bout. Speaking to Iole, Jones articulated, “If there were to be a fight of a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira.” He continued by stating, “Alex Pereira and I, we’re both 37 years old. Right now I weigh about 235lb.” Jones added, “I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240lb.” He concluded his remarks by saying, “I think that fight would go much farther on my legacy than a young man who’s cool today and maybe gone tomorrow.” These remarks from Jones follow a statement by UFC president Dana White, who expressed his belief that the victor of the Jones versus Miocic bout would seek to compete against Aspinall. Miocic, aged 42, is regarded as the underdog in his upcoming match against Jones, notwithstanding his status as a two-time heavyweight champion. White conveyed to TNT Sports, “Just competitively, the way that these guys are wired and the reason that they’re both massive legends in the sport, they’re not going to just ride off into the sunset without settling the dispute with Tom Aspinall.”