Jon Jones vs Alex Pereira has long felt like the dream matchup, one MMA fans could look forward to a year in advance. Both superstars have openly shown interest in colliding in a heavyweight showdown on the sport’s biggest stage, the UFC White House card, which is set for June 14. However, even with mutual interest from both sides, ‘Bones’ has now revealed the biggest reason it may be difficult ever to make.

From an American star standpoint, the former two-division champion has always been viewed as one of the UFC’s brightest jewels. But after Jones’ unexpected retirement without facing Tom Aspinall, his relationship with Dana White has soured badly. Moreover, White even labeled him as an unreliable option to headline such a massive event. Still, ‘Bones’ continued pushing for the UFC White House fight, even openly tendering a heartfelt apology to the UFC CEO. And now, the former heavyweight champion claims White simply does not want this matchup to happen. 

Jon Jones doubts Dana White would approve Alex Pereira bout for UFC White House 

“Pereira wants to fight me. But I don’t think Dana White’s going to allow that to happen. It’ll be interesting to see what Dana wants,” Jon Jones said in an interview with Red Corner MMA.

Well, recently, the air around Alex Pereira and Jon Jones’ fight at the White House event has remained a little confusing. Interestingly, the UFC CEO has not publicly admitted that he is against the fight. But his comments have dropped subtle hints that are not exactly encouraging when it comes to this matchup becoming a reality.

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Along with the distrust in ‘Bones’, White has also not been keen on Pereira moving up three weight divisions, as he said during the UFC 320 post-fight presser, while revealing that the light heavyweight division still has enough challenges for the two-time champion. Despite the 56-year-old CEO’s reluctance, ‘Poatan’ has remained optimistic. However, he recently admitted on social media that the White House event might be a “no-go.”

On the other hand, recently, the Brazilian’s arch-rival, Israel Adesanya, confidently hinted at the Bangtao Muay-Thai Q&A session that Pereira vs Jones is still on. Regardless of that claim, it now feels like the two-time 205 lbs king may not end up sharing the cage with the man many consider the greatest of all time. 

With all these rumors in the air, it remains to be seen whether the UFC matchmakers actually pull the trigger on this spectacular matchup. But while Pereira’s White House plans look uncertain, his heavyweight ambitions have never felt more real.

Alex Pereira could face Ciryl Gane next for interim heavyweight belt 

Now, ‘Poatan’s legacy matchup against Jon Jones might be under a bigger question mark. But the Brazilian moving to heavyweight still remains a real possibility. And for his next fight, many believe Alex Pereira could face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, a matchup that is already generating serious hype.

After getting badly eye-poked by the Frenchman at UFC 321, Tom Aspinall is currently seeking medical care and is set to go under the surgeon’s knife in mid-January. With the champion sidelined, UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealed he has been hearing growing buzz about Pereira’s move up. Not long after, the heavyweight champion himself weighed in on the potential matchup.

“It would be a good fight. I think it’s a good stylistic matchup.” Aspinall told Paddy Pimblett in a recent interview while discussing Pereira vs Gane for the interim heavyweight championship.

So, amid the British juggernaut’s medical hiatus, there is a strong possibility the UFC could allow Alex Pereira to move up and bring fresh excitement to the heavyweight division. That said, it is also possible that the winner of Derrick Lewis vs Waldo Cortes Acosta at UFC 324 could face Gane next for the interim belt.

Even so, the chances of ‘Poatan’ moving up and chasing a third belt are clearly looking like the most realistic path. That said, what do you think the UFC White House card could end up looking like? Let us know in the comments section below.