Alex Pereira calls out Jon Jones after GOAT diss: 'I don't understand'
Alex Pereira says Jon Jones blindsided him with a post-fight jab following his UFC White House loss to Ciryl Gane.
After Pereira dropped his interim heavyweight title bid Sunday, Jones posted video of himself wearing a diamond-encrusted goat medallion and raising his eyebrows. The timing came after weeks of fans suggesting Pereira could claim GOAT status with a third divisional belt. "I saw the video and to be honest, I was very surprised," Pereira said in Portuguese, per MMA Mania. "If I was one of the guys that provoked him and then lost, and then he goes and says something? Then I'd understand. But I've never spoken bad about Jon Jones. I've always respected [him]."
Pereira says he supported Jones through rough patches
Pereira pointed to his track record of backing Jones when others turned on him. He called for a superfight with Jones when the heavyweight champion faced criticism for avoiding Tom Aspinall. He led a moment of silence after Jones' brother Chandler died, following Pereira's light heavyweight title recapture at UFC 320. "In a difficult moment like this, he decides to provoke someone who's never provoked him," Pereira said. "Look at the difference, when he was going through a difficult time, I sent him support."
Pereira also aired frustrations about the stoppage itself, claiming Gane landed illegal strikes to the back of his head and that referee Herb Dean missed the fouls. He spent Monday sharing Instagram Stories highlighting what he considers missed calls.
The loss marks Pereira's second defeat in 18 months, the first coming against Magomed Ankalaev in early 2026 before avenging it later that year. Pereira told followers he remains a Jones fan despite the public dig. No word yet on when he plans to return or at which weight class.
Original reporting:
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