Prediction: Dana White is going to do Jones vs Pereira in November @ MSG.

[Alpha_T83]

So, I'm going to go out on a limb and say I'm convinced that Jones vs Pereira will happen this November. Here is my logic:

Why did the UFC do an interim title for Aspinall, only to allow Jones to fight Stipe in November 2024? Dana made his "fight the fans want to see" excuse, but it still doesn't make sense. I think the UFC tried to do Jones vs Aspinall in 2024, and Jones refused. They then had to choose between stripping Jon Jones, or getting another fight/payday out of him. They chose the latter.

Jon Jones told us a long time ago that he's not interested in fighting "young killers", but instead prefers to fight "established legends", and specifically named Alex Pereira. Has that changed? I think his plans he told the UFC are "Pereira or retirement". I also doubt the UFC's calculus has changed: If the choice is Jones retirement, or Jones vs Pereira payday, they will go with the payday.

Add in the UFC's need to find a new PPV distributor: if they haven't found one by August/September, they will need to pump up 2025 PPV numbers to get better deals. They will almost have no choice but to do Jones/Pereira.

 

[MrBlackheart]

and I hope the mma community would unite and boo the shit out of this fight.

 

[Alpha_T83]

and I hope the mma community would unite and boo the shit out of this fight.

I hope so too. If I'm right, I believe it would be the single most egregious thing Dana has done. Far worse than Bisping vs Henderson was.

 

[Substance Abuse]

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

It would be an absolute joke and travesty, but it would also further expose how phony the UFC booking has become which I kinda like because it has borderline ruined the sport for me over the past few years and now a lot more people are seeing it, which is kinda nice lol

And I would enjoy seeing Jon easily take down Pereira and finish him in like three minutes, because Pereira is a product of phony UFC booking… you guys just don’t care because you like him

 

[don't ask]

Jon Jones told us a long time ago that he's not interested in fighting "young killers", but instead prefers to fight "established legends",

He's fighting Arlovski.

 

[Ares Black]

He fuckin better not esti de calisse

 

[Alpha_T83]

Pereira is a product of phony UFC booking… you guys just don’t care because you like him

I was a Pereira fan, but I can't argue with that. Aside from his fights against Adesanya which were legit, he's been protected at LHW for sure.

Ank exposed Pereira bigtime. The more time goes on, the more I think Ank vs Pereira rematch would just result in Pereira being finished. Ank even got the better of the striking exchanges.

 

[SalvadorAllende]

That was always the idea but Big Ank derailed that...

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

Jones vs Royce Gracie

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

I'd watch it and so will everyone here

 

[mmacrisis]

I think the fight will be Conor vs Jones at 185. Hey if we are just randomly guessing let's be complete morons.

 

[Alpha_T83]

That was always the idea but Big Ank derailed that...

View attachment 1096318

Did he though? I don't think he did.

Jones doesn't care if it's a champ-champ fight. Jon Jones just wants the payday against an easy opponent. And from the UFC's perspective, Jones vs Pereira is (still) a much bigger PPV than Aspinall vs Gane for the vacant belt.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

I was a Pereira fan, but I can't argue with that. Aside from his fights against Adesanya which were legit, he's been protected at LHW for sure.

Ank exposed Pereira bigtime. The more time goes on, the more I think Ank vs Pereira rematch would just result in Pereira being finished. Ank even got the better of the striking exchanges.

He really should’ve never even fought Izzy though, great fights, but they were MMA kickboxing matches, it’s really ridiculous you can get to a title in the UFC without fighting a competent grappler… in two divisions. That’s what can happen when the UFC brings someone in with the sole purpose of getting them to a TS though.

And I respect Pereira a lot, he probably would be a top guy even without being protected because LHW is pathetically, unbelievably bad, and Pereira’s striking is obviously incredible, so I’m not trying to shit on him too much, but he has been as pushed/protected as anyone in the history of the sport.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

and I hope the mma community would unite and boo the shit out of this fight.

I wanted this for the Stipe fight but idiots ate that shit up. Disgusted me.

 

[Alpha_T83]

I think the fight will be Conor vs Jones at 185. Hey if we are just randomly guessing let's be complete morons.

Who else would Jon Jones fight? The only two opponents that make sense for Jon Jones now are the rightful #1 contender (Tom Aspinall), and the guy Jones has said multiple times he wants to fight (Pereira).

 

[Neck&Neck]

I hope not
Unify or retire

 

[NoSmilez]

I think both men would want the fight.

 

[Alpha_T83]

I hope not
Unify or retire

Honestly, I think Aspinall should take his destiny into his own hands. The only way this goes easy if it Tom Aspinall doesn't fight. Dana can then pull some BS saying "Aspinall hasn't fought in over a year, blah blah blah" -- they could even strip Tom Aspinall of his interim title.

But if Tom Aspinall says "give me a signed contract for Jon Jones now, or give me an interim title defense fight against anyone in August, September", then Aspinall is making it hard for the UFC.

 

[Alpha_T83]

I think both men would want the fight.

I agree, I think Jones and Pereira would easily agree to fight each other. It would do huge numbers, and it's a shot (albeit a very, very longshot) for Pereira to be a champ in three different weight classes.