Alex Pereira Never Intended to Offend Jon Jones and Calls Him the Best Despite GOAT Candidate’s Reaction

Alex Pereira talks about Jon Jones and reacts to the UFC legend's response following his UFC Freedom 250 loss.

Alex Pereira Never Intended to Offend Jon Jones and Calls Him the Best Despite GOAT Candidate’s Reaction

Alex Pereira shows respect to GOAT Jon Jones [via MMA Fighting]

For a long time, Dana White had asserted that Jon Jones was the greatest MMA fighter ever. That stance seemed to shift after Alex Pereira went up to heavyweight to pursue a third UFC title. The veteran promoter then began to claim that should the Brazilian be successful, he would become the undisputed GOAT. After coming up short against Ciryl Gane, Pereira himself has addressed the situation.

The entire ordeal had gotten out of hand very quickly after the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event. ‘Poatan’ was knocked out in the second round by ‘Bon Gamin’ in a lopsided fight. Shortly after the finish, Jones took to social media to post a video of himself with a goat necklace, clearly alluding to and reaffirming his status as the greatest of all time.

Now, in an interview with Ariel Helwani, the ex-kickboxing double champion has reiterated his respect for Jon Jones. Pereira explained that he respected champions like Jones who had several title defenses, acknowledging the difficulty of their feats.

Props to him now he knows he’s the best. I never wanted to show that I’m better or worse than him. I really respect Anderson Silva, him [Jon Jones], the hardest thing to do is title defenses and those guys did that.

Alex Pereira via the Ariel Helwani Show

Back in 2023, Jon Jones quickly dispatched of Gane, as he made his debut at heavyweight in a bout the latter dubbed a ‘nightmare’. ‘Bones’ would then defend his belt against Stipe Miocic, knocking him out via a spinning back kick. In contrast, Pereira’s debut at heavyweight was foiled by the Frenchman who won the UFC interim heavyweight title for the second time in his career.

The former middleweight and light heavyweight champion was then asked if he was still interested in facing the former NCAA wrestler. Despite both agreeing to a bout earlier, Poatan denied wanting any smoke with Jones. Following recent events, there seems to be a shift in the respectful rivalry between him and Jones, evidenced by his reaction to the abovementioned video posted by the latter.

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Alex Pereira reveals being confused by Jon Jones’ reaction to his loss

The reaction to Jon Jones’ post after Alex Pereira’s defeat at the hands of Ciryl Gane was quite mixed. Many questioned why he had chosen to troll the Brazilian when it was UFC CEO Dana White who had claimed that Pereira would be the GOAT if he won at the White House. Meanwhile, others simply lauded the American for doing to Gane what the Frenchman did to the former kickboxer.

Jon Jones, Alex Pereira
Alex Pereira was confused by Jon Jones’ reaction to his loss [via MMA Fighting]

However, the ex-GLORY and UFC double champion seemingly falls into the first camp. Pereira questioned Jones’ irreverent display on social media, expressing his disappointment with the UFC legend.

I don’t understand. I’ve never spoken bad about him. In a moment so difficult, he decides to provoke someone who’s never provoked him. When he was going through a difficult time, I sent him support.

Alex Pereira said

What Alex Pereira is saying here does line up with past events. After his emphatic win at UFC 320, the two-time light heavyweight champion had paid tribute to Jones’ late brother, Arthur Jones. The Brazilian has consistently spoken about the former heavyweight champion with respect, even while pursuing accomplishments that inevitably invited comparisons between them.

Nonetheless, Jones’ reaction has added a new wrinkle to what had previously been a cordial relationship. Whether the two ever share the octagon remains unclear with Jones wanting out of his UFC contract, but it is clear that Pereira will always respect ‘Bones’ even if the respect isn’t mutual.

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