Dana White gets backing of P4P contender in heated Jon Jones debate

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira doubles down on Dana White's claims and picks Jon Jones as the current P4P best.

Dana White gets backing of P4P contender in heated Jon Jones debate

Alex Pereira considers Jon Jones the GOAT of MMA (via Imago)

Jon Jones will most probably participate in his last UFC fight later this year against heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic. Ahead of the bout, UFC CEO Dana White has done everything in his hands to promote Jones as the current GOAT of MMA. As it turns out, the light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira feels the same way. 

Over the past few months, Dana White has revived an array of criticism for consistently hyping up Jones. According to White, irrespective of inactivity, Jones deserves the pound-for-pound number one position. In a recent interview, the current No. 2 P4P fighter, Alex Pereira, was asked about the debate. The Brazilian superstar didn’t waste much time and immediately labeled Jones as the GOAT.

Right now, being active Jon Jones. Like Dana White say, he’s the man.

Alex Pereira via Halen Yee Sports

Other than Pereira and Jones, the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is the P4P ace. The Dagestani fighter defeated multiple former champions to get to that position. However, Pereira has a chance to take the lead in his upcoming bout against Khalil Rountree this weekend. 

Pereira is currently on a four-fight streak and has finished the last three of his opponents. Similarly, Rountree has a massive momentum and has promised to stand and bang with ‘Poatan.’ Nevertheless, Pereira also wanted to move up and fight Jon Jones, but with ‘Bones’ retirement, that won’t be possible.

Who would win between Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira?

After his last win, Alex Pereira thought of moving up and challenging Jon Jones to become the first three-division champion. Fans were extremely excited about this super fight, which even got the UFC top brass considering. Though Dana White wasn’t a fan of this move, he didn’t particularly shut down the idea. 

Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones
Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones (via Imago)

Jones is the most decorated competitor in UFC history, having faced some of the best fighters. His fight against the formidable Alex Pereira drew the attention of many fight fans. It also resulted in a number of assumptions from experts who predicted the outcome of the fight. ESPN host Stephen A. Smith also gave his views on the fight, which was pretty much one-sided.

Jon Bones Jones is the greatest ever… he will take Pereira out inside of 2 rounds. And you know what, he won’t throw a punch…I’m telling you right now, [Jones] will take him out. He can’t mess with Jon Bones Jones.

Stephen A. Smith via ESPN MMA 

Despite the competition, Pereira and Jones have a friendship. It was clear during their encounter at UFC 306 when both fighters danced together in a viral video. Furthermore, Pereira’s regard for Jones as the greatest of all time adds significantly to the mutual respect.