Alex Pereira‘s next fight might not be in the light heavyweight division. ‘Poatan’ is the reigning 205-pound champion having moved up to the division after losing his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in their blockbuster rematch last year. The Brazilian now wants to go up to heavyweight and fight for the title there, with undisputed champ Jon Jones in his crosshairs. However, according to MMA reporter Reuben Carter, Dana White and co. are looking to have Pereira fight Adesanya, if ‘Izzy’ recaptures the title on UFC 305.

If Adesanya cannot defeat 180-pound champ Dricus Du Plessis on the August 17 card in Perth, Australia, the UFC has another opponent for the light heavyweight champ- Tom Aspinall.

The report claims that ‘Poatan’ will face current interim heavyweight champ Aspinall for the undisputed title next year, by the time Jon Jones is expected to be out of the picture. But, this may raise a question in many people’s minds: why is Jon Jones not in the UFC’s plans to fight Pereira?

Why Jon Jones is not in UFC’s plans regarding Alex Pereira

Jones is slated to fight Stipe Miocic in November this year. Miocic is 41, last fought three years ago where he suffered a devastating knockout loss. The consensus is that the former champ is at the end of his rope, and will make his final appearance as a fighter against Jones.

Jones is expected to beat Micocic at their UFC 309 bout in November, after which he might hang up his gloves as well, but if he doesn’t retire, Dana White has confirmed that Aspinall will be the next to face him in a unification bout.

Many think that the GOAT contender will not face the much younger Aspinall, who is a natural heavyweight, unlike Jones; and is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment, based on his recent performances. If the report by Reuben Carter is true, the UFC is counting on Jones either retiring or Aspinall beating him in their fight and taking on Pereira.

If Pereira were to move up to heavyweight and face Aspinall, the deck would be stacked against him. He will face many of the same issues Jones (who himself moved up from 205) is likely to face against Aspinall.

‘Honey Badger’ has an excellent ground game, the very suit that is ‘Poatan’s weakest. To be fair, Aspinall is also an electrifying striker and has the speed and sharpness to move like a middleweight even as a 270-pounder.

This is why some fans believe that it would probably be better for Pereira to fight Adesanya next. While there would be immense excitement for a trilogy between the two arch-rivals, the matchup against a fellow striker is also likely to be easier for ‘Poatan’ than a fight against Aspinall.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.