For now, Dana White is not considering the possibility of Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight.
On Tuesday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, the UFC CEO firmly dismissed the idea of Pereira challenging UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Pereira, 37, is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and a former middleweight champion. He has also been a two-division champion in GLORY Kickboxing. In 2024, Pereira stepped in on short notice twice to headline UFC events, securing first-round and second-round knockout victories over Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, respectively.
Following the Prochazka fight, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan championed the idea of Pereira moving to heavyweight to challenge Jones and become the first three-division champion in UFC history. Both Pereira and Jones have shown interest in this matchup, and Pereira’s coach, Plinio Cruz, has supported the idea, describing it as “the biggest fight this sport has ever seen.”
“I think it’d be a mega-fight. I think it’s going to be the best fight between two great champions,” Cruz said in July. “I don’t think right now it’s the move, because the heavyweight division is currently stagnant. First, Jones has to fight, and then [Tom] Aspinall has to fight. We shouldn’t chase something that isn’t progressing.”
Jones, 37, is the current UFC heavyweight champion and widely regarded as the greatest light heavyweight ever. He is anticipated to face Stipe Miocic in November at Madison Square Garden, following his recovery from a shoulder injury. Jones has not fought since winning the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, marking his only heavyweight bout in his 15-year MMA career.
White has consistently supported the Jones vs. Miocic matchup and Jones’ status as the top pound-for-pound fighter. He reaffirmed his stance on Tuesday, dismissing any criticism of his positions.
“Well, everybody on the internet is stupid,” White said, referring to critics. “Anyone who thinks Jon Jones isn’t the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world should never discuss fighting. Period.”
