The buzz surrounding Alex Pereira has always been loud, but recently it has shifted from admiration to awe. Every division he enters, every champion he dethrones—it all feels like a part of something bigger. And now, according to Chael Sonnen, “something bigger” could be the final step in settling MMA’s hottest question: Who is the true MMA GOAT?

‘The American Gangster’ feels Pereira is on the verge of immortality, just one fight away from erasing any doubt. For someone as calculated as Sonnen, that’s saying a lot. “Alex Pereira is one win away from being the greatest fighter of all time,” he declared with quiet confidence. The UFC legend was not talking hype; he was talking legacy. And he had a special name in mind for that “one win.”

Chael Sonnen says Alex Pereira must fight Tom Aspinall to secure GOAT status

According to Chael Sonnen, the road to GOAT status goes through Tom Aspinall, not Jon Jones, as many would like to believe. The logic is brutal and simple: Jones, for all his greatness, has already defined an era. But right now, Aspinall represents the new world and holds a title that will make Alex Pereira the king of three divisions in the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

‘The American Gangster’ said on his YouTube channel, “If Alex Pereira were to beat Tom Aspinall, we wouldn’t have a conversation about GOAT anymore. We just say Alex Pereira.” ‘A triple champion,’ ‘a destroyer of generations’—that’s the kind of record that silences even the most cynical fans. It’s an interesting take, especially given the Brazilian’s obvious fixation on Jon Jones.

‘Poatan’ has made no secret of his desire to face ‘Bones’ at the UFC’s White House event, enticing fans with cryptic emojis and his signature smirk. Chael Sonnen’s argument, however, strikes a different note. Beating Jon Jones would be significant, a clash of icons. Beating Tom Aspinall, on the other hand, would mean defeating a younger, bigger, and faster fighter in the very peak of his powers. It’s the kind of victory that rewrites the sport.

In fact, even facing Khamzat Chimaev would make more sense than going after ‘Bones.’ What makes the idea even more appealing is Aspinall’s attitude toward ‘Poatan.’ The English heavyweight has already named Alex Pereira as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. “If I fight Alex Pereira, that’s gonna be one of the toughest fights of my career,” he stated.

There is respect there, and the type that precedes violence. Unlike Jon Jones, Aspinall is not motivated by legacy games. He is open, direct, and terrifyingly willing to fight anyone. As for Jon Jones, he is being questioned about his illogical decision to fight Alex Pereira despite all the accusations about him ducking Tom Aspinall.

Heavyweight legend calls out Jon Jones for seeking Alex Pereira fight

The irony isn’t lost on anyone: Jon Jones, who was previously accused of avoiding Tom Aspinall, now appears hooked on Alex Pereira. To many, it feels like strategy over challenge, and Alistair Overeem agrees. Overeem, who trained under ‘Bones,’ recognizes a deliberate move when he sees it. This, to him, is not bravery; it is convenience.

“Tom Aspinall’s right there,” Overeem said, clearly confused. “So I don’t know what his strategy is.” He wasn’t criticizing Jon Jones’ abilities, just his decision. ‘The Demolition Man’ referred to Jones as a “master strategist,” suggesting that logic, rather than legacy, is motivating his next move. True greatness, in his opinion, is not about taking the easy way; it is about fighting the battle that scares you the most.

Nonetheless, the heavyweight understands Jones’s motivations. “There’s a strategy,” he stated. “Otherwise, he’d be quiet.” And maybe that’s what makes ‘Bones’ so appealing: he’s constantly two steps ahead. But as he eyes Alex Pereira, it’s hard to ignore the contrast: while ‘Poatan’ is chasing danger, Jones seems to be avoiding it.