Jon Jones has issued a response to a recent callout from UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, reiterating his interest in a potential fight despite having retired from competition.
Pereira, who recently reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title and has been linked with a possible move to heavyweight, appeared to target Jones in a social media post that featured the phrase “Next-Jones” displayed prominently. The gesture sparked conversation among fans about a potential superfight between the two elite fighters.
“I’ve beat a lot of legends from your country, my friend,” Jones said in an Instagram story responding to Pereira. “I know you’d love to avenge the boys, but boy would you be a good one to add to my list. Be careful what you wish for.” Jones concluded the message with Pereira’s signature phrase, “Chama.”
Jones, a former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, has defeated multiple high-profile Brazilian fighters over the course of his career, and a bout with Pereira would mark another high-profile clash between the American and a Brazilian standout. Pereira is also a two-division UFC champion, having held titles at middleweight and light heavyweight.
Despite the buzz around the potential fight, there remain questions about Jones’ intentions and timing for returning to the octagon, as well as how the UFC will position him on its event calendar. UFC CEO Dana White has expressed reservations about booking Jones on marquee cards due to concerns about reliability, leaving the status of a Jones-Pereira matchup uncertain.
As negotiations and planning continue within the UFC, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the two fighters’ exchanges translate into a formal bout. Jones’ return to competition and Pereira’s plans for a potential heavyweight move add further intrigue to the evolving title landscape.
Jones has not competed since announcing his retirement last year, but his recent engagement with Pereira’s callout reflects ongoing speculation about his future in the sport and where he might fight next.
