When one door closes, another one opens. For UFC fans, it’s about matchups. Just when one marqueé matchup ended in an anticlimax, another one seems to be forming on the horizon. After Ciryl Gane poked Tom Aspinall in the eye in the UFC 321 headliner, leading to a no-contest bout, Jon Jones and Alex Pereira decided to become dance partners on X. In a promise to revitalize a division that has long garnered the reputation of being ‘cooked’ in some sense, ‘Poatan’ and ‘Bones’ want to breathe “new life” into the heaviest weight category in the promotion. For most, this is a fantasy matchup. For a UFC veteran and sports insider, this just seems like smoke where there’s no fire.

According to Chael Sonnen, the proposal may not survive the hype. On his YouTube channel, ‘The American Gangster’ dissected the viral exchange between the two veterans, pointing out the one thing that didn’t fit. “That’s the only part that’s off… this White House business. There’s no cool guys talking about the White House.”

Alex Pereira might not want to “wait three seasons” to fight Jon Jones, reckons Chael Sonnen

According to Sonnen, the former champion’s fixation with the White House was an indication that ‘Bones’ wasn’t serious about returning to the Octagon anytime soon. And his argument may not be far off. Jon Jones has been largely absent from competition, while Alex Pereira, who has already won titles in two divisions, has stated that he is eager for fresh opportunities. His timing could not have been better.

With Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane ending in a no-contest, the heavyweight division seems wide open, and Pereira’s witty jab, “Let’s make the heavyweight division great again,” offered fans something to rally behind. Jones’ comment simply fueled the flames, but as Chael Sonnen pointed out on his YouTube channel, timing is crucial, and ‘Bones’ seems perpetually out of sync.

“The only guy that doesn’t want to fight that is a fighter is Jon,” Chael Sonnen claimed. He noted that Jones’ timeline may stretch as far as mid-2026, which is an eternity in fight years. “If Pereira finds out he’s going to fight Jones and it’s not until three seasons away… he’s not going to want to fight him anymore.” Sonnen also hinted that Jon Jones’ interest in the “White House” could reflect something deeper: a desire for prestige, not just competition.

Why would Chael Sonnen allege that Jon Jones would indeed not end up fighting Alex Pereira at the White House? Well, if history is any indication, then we need to look no further than when he kept both Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall waiting, only to end up not facing either of them. Worse even, as a former undisputed champion, he was obliged to unify the heavyweight titles with the then-interim champion Tom Aspinall. Another issue is the logistical nightmare involved in re-signing Jones, who has had a history of infractions, leading to UFC head honcho Dana White expressing a lack of confidence in the former two-weight champion.

In the end, Sonnen’s opinion was less about criticizing Jones and more about grounding the fantasy. The prospect of Pereira vs. Jones under presidential lights sounds like the stuff of legends, but the reality is considerably simpler: one fighter is seeking the next challenge, while the other seems content chasing an idea. Until Jon Jones decides to fight earlier, the bout seems like nothing but a pipe dream. Especially knowing how Alex Pereira seems to have momentum and big money options for his next fight.

Unlike Jones, Pereira actually has some big options ahead

If Jon Jones continues to delay his comeback, Alex Pereira won’t have to wait. The Brazilian knockout artist has the rare leverage of choice: he may pursue his heavyweight dream or defend his 205-pound title against fresh opponents. Dana White, on the other hand, is unwilling to approve yet another move up. While Pereira’s desire to face Jones made headlines, the UFC CEO suggested that his attention should remain on light heavyweight, where unfinished business and new contenders await.

Azamat Murzakanov, one of those contenders, has just made his case in brutal fashion. His first-round knockout of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321 did more than just extend his undefeated streak; it also prompted the UFC and even Islam Makhachev to take notice. If ‘Poatan’ actually wants to establish his supremacy before going up, a match against Murzakanov could be the ideal test.

The timing couldn’t be better, especially since the Jon Jones-White House talk began to sound more like a fantasy than a reality. But the most outspoken challenger came from Pereira’s own circle of influence: City Kickboxing’s Carlos Ulberg. Ulberg declared, “That’s the big fight,” while watching Pereira demolish Magomed Ankalaev from cageside. “That’s the big fight. That’s the money fight. That’s the entertaining fight.”

For Ulberg, Alex Pereira is more than just a belt holder; he’s the ultimate testing ground. And, as ‘Poatan’ weighs fame, legacy, and history, his next choice could shape not only his career but also the future of two entire divisions. What do you think? What’s next for Alex Pereira? Let us know in the comments.