In a bombshell post-fight declaration that has the MMA world buzzing, newly recrowned UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has set his sights on the ultimate prize: a heavyweight superfight against longtime GOAT contender Jon Jones at the promotion’s unprecedented White House event next year.
Pereira, the Brazilian knockout artist known as “Poatan,” wasted no time in laying out his ambitions during a heated exchange with UFC CEO Dana White following his dominant third-round TKO victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Saturday night. The win marked Pereira’s second stint as 205-pound kingpin, avenging a prior loss and solidifying his status as one of the division’s most feared strikers.
“I want Jon Jones,” Pereira stated bluntly in Portuguese during the post-fight presser, his eyes locked on White as the crowd erupted.
“At the White House. Make it happen.” The callout, delivered with the confidence of a man who’s already conquered two weight classes, immediately ignited speculation about a dream matchup that could redefine UFC history.
The proposed bout would pit Pereira, a former Glory Kickboxing champion making waves in MMA with his devastating left hook, against Jones, the enigmatic heavyweight titleholder whose legacy includes an unprecedented run as light heavyweight champ marred by controversies. At 38, Jones has long teased retirement, but recent teases of big fights have kept the door ajar. Pereira, 38, and riding a wave of momentum, sees the clash as his path to becoming the first three-division UFC champion.
However, the road to D.C. won’t be smooth. White, known for his razor-sharp matchmaking instincts, appeared hesitant in his immediate response, citing Pereira’s need to solidify his light heavyweight reign first.
“Alex is the man right now, no doubt,” White said in his post-event interview. “But Jon’s got his own path, and we’ve got a massive card brewing for June at the White House. Let’s not rush the superfights.”
Sources close to the organization indicate White is prioritizing interim heavyweight bouts, potentially involving Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane, before greenlighting a Pereira-Jones showdown.
Pereira’s bold move wasn’t entirely impromptu. In a pre-fight huddle with White ahead of UFC 320, the champion reportedly floated the idea of targeting Jones immediately after victory—but held back out of respect following the tragic death of Jones’ brother, Arthur, earlier this week.
“Had circumstances been different, Alex had plans to call out Jon right there,” one insider revealed. Instead, Pereira channeled that fire into the cage, dropping Ankalaev with a signature left hand before ground-and-pound finished the job.
The UFC White House event, teased by White as a “massive and incredible” will be a part of the promotion’s new Paramount+ partnership in 2026, and promises to be a landmark affair. Billed as the first-ever combat sports card on federal grounds, it could draw unprecedented political and celebrity attention, with rumors swirling of high-profile guests from Washington. For Pereira, it’s the perfect stage to cement his legacy; for Jones, a chance at redemption in the spotlight.
Social media exploded with reactions, from fans chanting “Book it!” to analysts debating the stylistic nightmare Jones might face against Pereira’s power. “Alex vs. Jon at the White House? This is the fight we’ve waited a decade for,” tweeted MMA analyst Luke Thomas, capturing the electric sentiment.
As the dust settles from UFC 320, all eyes turn to the heavyweight division’s chessboard. Will White bend to Pereira’s will, or will the champ need another statement win to force the issue? One thing’s certain: if this superfight materializes under the shadow of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, it could be the knockout blow that echoes through MMA eternity.
