Following the events of UFC 300, discussions about Alex Pereira returning to defend his title once again became the talk of the town. The current UFC light heavyweight champion also teased the fans about the move to the heavyweight division. Soon, Jon Jones decided to take a shot and give Pereira a chance to fight for the heavyweight championship belt. However, instead of ‘Bones’, ‘Poatan’ has seemingly chosen Jiri Prochazka as his next opponent. After losing to the Brazilian mixed martial artist once before, Prochazka would try and get the light heavyweight belt. 

Despite the callout by the heavyweight champion, Pereira revealed that he wanted to fight Prochazka next. In a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Pereira opened up on Jones’ challenge and his next probable fight.

Alex Pereira confirms the fight with Jiri Prochazka

During the interview, Legaspi pointed out that ‘Poatan’ wanted a fight with Prochazka, in case a heavyweight fight doesn’t happen. As he asked Pereira to confirm his words, the Brazilian’s response simply confirmed the speculations that the MMA fans made. He replied, “For me it doesn’t really matter who the opponent is. But, the way it looks, it looks like it would be him.”

The conversation proceeded with the interviewer asking about Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian MMA athlete had previously called out Pereira and wanted to fight him in Abu Dhabi. However, Pereira doesn’t wish to wait. He wanted to fight the Czech fighter as soon as possible. When Legaspi asked if it would be difficult for Ankalaev to get the fight that he wanted, Pereira just affirmed.

The man with ‘Stone Hands’ said, “Yeah, I think that’s gonna be a little but hard. But, you know, looking at the organization’s plans, I think focus should be right now on Prochazka.“ Pereira seems to have his complete focus on defeating the Czech martial artist once again and defending his title against him. But that just leaves Jones waiting for the fight.

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Jon Jones wants Pereira and not Aspinall

After sending the MMA world into war by giving options to fight Pereira or Aspinall, Jones chose the Brazilian mixed martial artist. He took to X and wanted the UFC big guns to give Pereira a chance to fight for the belt. ‘Bones’ put forth a question, “If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?“ 

Jones’ next fight is set to be against Stipe Miocic, although it was previously canceled owing to the heavyweight champ getting injured. Regardless, with Pereira quickly rising through the ladder, ‘Bones’ has set his eyes on him. He claimed that the fight after Miocic, i.e., against Pereira if it happens, would be one of the biggest moves for the MMA promotion. He continued, “The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.”

Would Pereira climb up to the heavyweight division and challenge the champion? Would he become UFC’s triple champion and be known as the G.O.A.T.? Let us know what you think.