At first, even UFC supremo Dana White was sceptical about putting Jon Jones on a pay-per-view card after the heavyweight champion’s abrupt, brief retirement. But as speculation around a potential champion-versus-champion clash with light heavyweight king Alex Pereira continues to intensify, the buzz has reached a level that even White can no longer ignore.
With “Poatan” recently issuing a subtle yet unmistakable callout from his tyre shop, Jones has now responded in kind. Acknowledging his own decorated resume while delivering a chilling warning of his own, the UFC heavyweight champion made it clear that the Brazilian may want to think twice about what he’s asking for.
Jon Jones Frames Pereira’s Callout As the Next Name on His List
The spark this time came from Pereira himself. During a visit back to Brazil, the Brazilian striker stopped by the tyre shop where he once worked and issued a subtle yet unmistakable message to the UFC and the former heavyweight king, Jon Jones. Panning the camera to a tyre marked with a nod toward a future fight, Pereira once again positioned himself as the next great challenge in front of the sport’s most decorated champion.
Jones, meanwhile, took notice of the challenge and acted swiftly, and when he did, the message carried both respect and menace.
“I’ve beaten a lot of legends from your country, my friend,” Jones stated in a separate post. “I know you love to avenge the boys, but boy you’d be a good one to add to my list. Be careful what you wish for. Chama!”
Jon Jones sent a warning to Alex Pereira 😬 https://t.co/eq7a9n1etE pic.twitter.com/2EaHKXr1sc
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) January 18, 2026
It was a cold reminder of his track record against elite Brazilian competition. Over the years, Jones has dismantled some of the most iconic names the country has ever produced, building a reputation as a nightmare matchup regardless of weight class or opponent.
The former two-division champion has already carved his legacy through victories over Brazilian icons such as Maurício “Shogun” Rua, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, and Thiago Santos. By invoking that lineage, Jones cast Pereira’s callout not as a looming danger, but as an invitation, another defining moment that could further immortalise his name in the sport’s history.
The timing of the exchange is notable. Jones’ brief retirement and subsequent return have tested UFC CEO White’s patience, particularly after a high-profile heavyweight bout against Tom Aspinall fell apart last year. While White has publicly expressed hesitation about relying on Jones for significant events, the growing buzz around a potential Jones vs. Pereira matchup is impossible to ignore.
From a stylistic standpoint, the fight would be one of the most fascinating matchups the UFC could make. Pereira’s devastating striking and championship success across multiple combat sports stand in contrast to Jones’ well-rounded dominance, fight IQ, and ability to neutralise elite threats. It’s a clash that feels bigger than divisional boundaries, a legacy fight driven as much by intrigue as by titles.
For now, nothing is official. But Jones’ response makes one thing clear: he isn’t shying away from Pereira’s challenge. If anything, he’s embracing it with the confidence of a champion who believes every callout is another name waiting to be crossed off his list.
Whether the fight materialises or not, Jones’ warning has already landed. Pereira asked for attention, and Jon Jones answered, doing so on his own terms.
