Alex Pereira Makes Surprising Jon Jones Admission While Explaining Why Khamzat Chimaev Fight Still Appeals
Two weeks have passed since Alex Pereira's ambitious bid to become the UFC's first three-division champion came to a painful end, but the former two-weight king isn't dwelling on what went wrong.
Instead, he's already looking ahead, and the names at the top of his wish list reveal a lot about where his mindset is after the toughest defeat of his MMA career.
Alex Pereira Explains Why Jon Jones Remains Bigger Fight
Alex Pereira's second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 derailed his heavyweight aspirations. While the setback ended months of speculation surrounding a historic title run, it hasn't diminished the Brazilian's appetite for challenges.
If anything, it seems to have only sharpened his focus. Interestingly, “Poatan” doesn't view his two most talked-about potential opponents, Jon Jones and Khamzat Chimaev, in the same light.
One represents the biggest payday and an opportunity to add another chapter to his legacy, while the other offers something far more personal: the chance to prove a point against one of the most feared fighters on the UFC roster.
Money Talks for Alex Pereira
Speaking during an interview with ALF Global, the 38-year-old offered a candid breakdown of how he views the two possible matchups. While fans often frame Jones and Chimaev as equally compelling options, the Brazilian made it clear that each fight fulfills a very different purpose.
He stated, "A fight with Chimaev won't make the same money as Jon Jones. So, looking at the financial side, Jon Jones, and for the legacy too. The Chimaev fight is for the sake of proving something. I really like when people say that nobody can beat this guy. I really love to hear that, and I like challenges."
It's an honest assessment from Pereira. A showdown with “Bones” remains one of the biggest unmade fights in MMA. Beyond the commercial appeal, it also carries enormous historical significance.
Even after his setback against Gane, a clash between the two would still rank among the UFC's biggest marquee attractions.
Ironically, the matchup has remained out of reach despite years of fan interest. Earlier this year, Jones himself acknowledged Pereira's desire for the fight but suggested the UFC wasn't interested in making it happen, adding another layer of uncertainty to one of the sport's most discussed fantasy bouts.
Recently, Jones made it clear that he'd welcome bouts against both Gane and Pereira, saying he'd be willing to face either man "anytime, anywhere, any place."
Why Khamzat Chimaev Still Intrigues Pereira Despite Smaller Payday
While Jones checks the boxes for money and legacy, Pereira's comments about Chimaev perhaps reveal even more about his competitive mindset.
The Brazilian has never hidden his willingness to embrace difficult stylistic matchups. Chimaev, with his relentless wrestling, presents exactly the kind of challenge that many believe could trouble Pereira more than any striker.
Rather than avoiding that conversation, Pereira seems drawn to it. His admission that he enjoys hearing people claim "nobody can beat this guy" stands out. Instead of viewing the Chechen’s reputation as a reason to stay away, Pereira sees it as a motivation.
The matchup nearly materialized earlier this year when Pereira publicly pushed for the bout at UFC Freedom 250. Those plans ultimately fell apart after “Borz” lost his championship to Sean Strickland before the White House event, shifting the UFC's matchmaking priorities.
That said, the intrigue hasn't died yet. Even without a title on the line, Pereira versus Chimaev remains one of the sport's most fascinating style clashes. It would pit one of MMA's most devastating kickboxers against arguably the division's most relentless grappler, giving way to a classic striker-versus-wrestler matchup that has captivated fight fans for decades.
