Jon Jones reclaims GOAT status after Pereira loss at UFC White House

Jon Jones reminded the world who he thinks holds the greatest-of-all-time title after Alex Pereira's bid for a third UFC belt ended badly Saturday night.

Pereira fell to Ciryl Gane in the second round at UFC White House, per MMA Mania, getting stopped before he could claim the interim heavyweight strap. Jones, who beat Gane at UFC 285 in early 2023, posted a photo of himself wearing his GOAT necklace on Instagram minutes after the stoppage. "Congratulations to the new heavyweight champion Gane," Jones wrote. "You looked great out there tonight." He signed off with a goat emoji.

Ngannou invokes lineal heavyweight champion claim

Jones chose retirement over defending his heavyweight title against Tom Aspinall, then lobbied to return once UFC announced the White House card. Gane is expected to rematch Aspinall later this year after their first meeting at UFC 321 last fall ended in a no-contest following an eye poke.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also weighed in on the result. "Congratulations Bon Gamin for the wonderful performance," Ngannou wrote on social media. "Sincerely, LHC." The abbreviation stands for lineal heavyweight champion, a designation Ngannou has claimed since walking away from UFC over a contract dispute in early 2023.

Ngannou holds wins over both Gane and Jones on his UFC résumé. He became a free agent after getting released from PFL earlier this year. Gane fights Aspinall next, likely in the fourth quarter.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Video: Jon Jones reclaims GOAT status from smashed Alex Pereira, ‘lineal champ’ Francis Ngannou chimes in | UFC White House