UFC gentle heavyweight king Alex Pereira is pumping the brakes on a possible coaching session with fellow UFC champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.
Final yr rumors began to swirl of a possible superfight between the MMA mega-stars after Jones claimed {that a} struggle between Pereira and himself is the largest struggle the UFC might make proper now. ‘Poatan’ definitely seemed to be on board to make it occur, suggesting {that a} transfer to heavyweight could possibly be in his future.
Pereira additionally expressed curiosity in coaching with Jones to assist hone his personal abilities. Nonetheless, that not seems to be the case. At the least, not till ‘Bones’ and the Brazilian boogeyman throw arms contained in the Octagon which seems like an actual chance lately.
“To be trustworthy, I don’t suppose that makes as a lot sense any extra,” Pereira just lately informed Bloody Elbow by way of interpreter when requested about coaching with Jones. “Again after I mentioned that I wish to struggle at heavyweight, individuals already put the dots collectively and mainly talked about Jon Jones. That’s one thing that’s speculated, even when it’s simply by the followers.
“So I wouldn’t wish to go and practice with him now, after which if we find yourself combating, individuals will begin saying a bunch of stuff about no matter within the struggle. I believe it wouldn’t make sense now, but when we have been to struggle in the future after which go practice, I believe it could make whole sense.”
For now, Alex Pereira will keep centered on the duty at hand. That being a long-awaited conflict with the sunshine heavyweight division’s top-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev. The 2 will headline UFC 313 when the promotion heads again to T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
Jon Jones should get by Tom Aspinall if he hopes to struggle Alex Pereira
Jones additionally has his personal enterprise to cope with at heavyweight earlier than a possible showdown with Pereira.
Bones’ is predicted to sq. off with interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall later this yr in a title unification conflict. Aspinall received the interim belt in November 2023 by way of a 69-second knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. He’s since defended the belt, touchdown a one-minute KO towards Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, whereas ready for Jones to care for enterprise towards former two-time champion Stipe Miocic.
With Jones handily defeating Miocic inside Madison Sq. Backyard late final yr, Jones vs. Aspinall is the struggle Dana White intends to make and based on some reviews, it’s already a carried out deal.
“I received’t essentially be finding out the struggle, however I’d watch it intently,” mentioned Pereira of the impending Jones vs. Aspinall matchup. “Clearly, any heavyweight struggle is already thrilling, and then you definately put in Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. I believe that’s a really thrilling struggle, so I’ll be watching intently – however as a fan.”
