Despite a history of fierce hatred, former UFC light heavyweight & heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier praised Jon Jones’ suggestion of a potential fight against Alex Pereira. Jones has been sidelined for over a year since winning the vacant UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 285. After that win, Jones was scheduled to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but withdrew due to a pectoral tear. Ever since, fans and fellow heavyweights have all been questioning when Jones will return and who he will return against.
Daniel Cormier Praises Jon Jones for Chasing Alex Pereira Fight
In classic fashion, Jones has teased people to stir the pot. Many believed after Tom Aspinall became the interim UFC heavyweight champion that he was in fact next in line. After Jones and Aspinall exchanged criticisms of one another, Jones seems to be turning elsewhere for future opponents.
“Who would you guys want to see me fight the most, Alex or Tom,” Jones said on X.
While this tweet obviously came with heavy criticism, Jones’ former rival praises the decision to chase a fight with Pereira.
“Give a tip of the cap to the champion… These athletes today are much smarter today than they were before, and I believe it makes for the sport to be even more interesting,” Cormier said on Good Guy/Bad Guy. “I love it. I love what Jon [Jones] is doing, I love what Alex [Pereira] is doing, but I think Jon is choosing, “I’m not fighting Tom Aspinall.”
Cormier even went on to say that he feels Jones isn’t praised enough for being as smart as he truly is.
Bones vs. Poatan
What’s next for ‘Bones’ is a mystery. More than likely the UFC will rebook his match against Stipe Miocic once both parties are fully ready to go. Unfortunately for the UFC this matchup seems to get less intriguing for the fans each day that passes. Jones seems to recognize this and might be looking for a different matchup all together.
Enter Alex Pereira. Pereira has alluded and teased about moving up to capture a third belt, a feat never before accomplished. For Pereira that means moving up to heavyweight. The current heavyweight champion has recognized this and doubled down on his stance of choosing to potentially face ‘Poatan’.
“If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT? Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after Stipe may be the biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated,” Jones said on X.
While the fight might be obscure, Jones would be very smart to capitalize on Pereira’s ever rising stardom. While Jones would overlook the division’s current interim champion, a UFC pay per view headlined by Jon Jones and Alex Pereira could be one of the most successful fight cards the UFC has put together.
“It would be absolutely massive. A guy with a chance to be [a] three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths. No one can argue that that [wouldn’t] be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane,” Jones continued on X.
What should be next for Jon ‘Bones’ Jones?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
