Pereira Only Wants Jones At Heavyweight; Rules Out Aspinall
Alex Pereira has said he will only move up to heavyweight to Tom Aspinall.
The Brazilian is a two-weight UFC Champion, having won titles in middleweight and light heavyweight. He is coming off a second-round KO win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. It was the second time he had stopped Prochazka following his win at UFC 295. Coming into the fight, Prochazka had attempted to get into the Brazilian’s head. He suggested that Alex was using witchcraft/dark arts in the biggest fights.
Pereira ignored those suggestions and delivered an excellent performance. After his win, he entertained the idea of moving up to heavyweight. That would allow him to chase a third UFC in a different weight class. The two primary names are Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Jones holds the heavyweight title. He is expected to face Stipe Miocic on his return after Bones pulled out of his title defense at UFC 295 last year. Bones also welcomed the idea of facing Pereira, stating it was a much bigger fight than Aspinall.
Jones Reacts
“It would be absolutely massive. A guy with a chance to be three-division champion and a GOAT versus the actual GOAT. Same age, different strengths. No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane. Tom only matters in the U.K., newsflash.
“Pereira is one of the most polarizing figures this sport has seen. Tom’s a contender who won a belt against another contender. We had to save Madison Square Garden’s main event. I’m thinking dollar signs, legacy, big picture here. Not what U.K. fans are dying to see. Literally just went through this with the French fans,” Jones said
Pereria’s Aims
Meanwhile, Aspinall has also welcomed the prospect of fighting Pereira. The Brit has struggled to get the title shot against Jones. Following Jones’ injury, he requested that the UFC strip him so he could face Miocic for the title. The winner would then fight Jones. The UFC refused to do that. Aspinall then knocked out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 to win the interim belt.
He will now face Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 against the only man to have beaten him. Provided that Aspinall wins, he has said he will no longer defend the interim belt. But a fight with Pereira could be made, with the winner facing Jones. Nevertheless, Alex has no interest in facing Aspinall. Jones is the clear focus moving forward.
“It doesn’t interest me to fight [Aspinall] at the moment. To be honest, heavyweight isn’t my goal, it isn’t my main focus. Tom Aspinall, not talking him as a fighter, I’m talking positions. I think I’m in another position now. It doesn’t make sense for me to fight for the interim belt, honestly. I am not taking anything away from [Aspinall], I respect him a lot. I think he’s an incredible athlete, a guy that is very dangerous technically. I’m just talking about fighting for an interim belt. There’s no point for me,” Pereira stated
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