UFC President Dana White has made a decision that has sent shockwaves through the MMA world: If Alex Pereira wants to fight Jon Jones, he must vacate his light heavyweight title. This revelation, first reported by journalist Ariel Helwani, has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts alike.
Pereira—one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC today—has publicly expressed his desire to move up to heavyweight to challenge Jon Jones, the reigning and undefeated heavyweight champion. Jones, too, has shown interest in this blockbuster matchup. However, UFC appears unwilling to allow Pereira to hold onto his light heavyweight belt while simultaneously pursuing gold in another division, a policy shift compared to past instances where fighters held dual titles.
Is the UFC Changing Its Stance on “Champ-Champ” Fighters?
According to Helwani, the UFC is no longer enthusiastic about the idea of fighters holding two championship belts at the same time. In the past, stars like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo had the opportunity to become “Champ-Champs.” However, that era may be coming to an end.
Helwani explained:
“Unless it’s an extremely unique situation, the UFC no longer wants fighters to hold two belts simultaneously. And with Alex Pereira, Dana White has made it clear that he doesn’t want him to do it if he fights Jon Jones.”
Recently, Ilia Topuria was also forced to vacate his featherweight title before moving up to challenge for the lightweight belt. This suggests that the UFC wants champions to focus on defending their respective titles rather than chasing belts in multiple divisions. As a result, Pereira’s future at light heavyweight is now in serious doubt.
Pereira Wants Jon Jones—But Is It Worth the Sacrifice?
At the moment, Alex Pereira is focused on defending his title at UFC 313 against Magomed Ankalaev. However, with Jon Jones also interested in this potential superfight, Pereira finds himself at a crossroads. If he vacates his belt, he risks losing everything he has worked for in the light heavyweight division. But if he refuses, he might miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face Jones.
Speaking to Mark Bouris, through his coach Plinio Cruz, Pereira shared his thoughts:
“Both Jon Jones and I want this fight. Now, it’s all up to the UFC. I’m ready.”
The big question remains: Will Dana White allow this fight to happen without forcing Pereira to vacate his title?
Chael Sonnen: “Pereira Will Move to Heavyweight No Matter What.”
Former UFC fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen believes that regardless of what happens at UFC 313, Pereira is destined to move up to heavyweight sooner rather than later. In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen stated:
“If Pereira wins, he will seek new challenges. If he loses, he will move up to heavyweight. I don’t see a scenario where he stays at light heavyweight for long.”
Sonnen pointed out that Pereira didn’t leave middleweight simply because he had cleaned out the division—he left because Israel Adesanya defeated him and took his belt. Sonnen believes that Pereira is always seeking bigger challenges and that moving to heavyweight is an inevitable next step.
Jon Jones: A Nightmare Matchup for Pereira?
There is no denying that Jon Jones would be the toughest test of Alex Pereira’s career. Jones is widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, with an unmatched fight IQ and elite wrestling skills. Meanwhile, Pereira is a devastating striker, but his grappling remains a glaring weakness—something Jones could exploit mercilessly.
If the UFC allows this fight to happen, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest superfights in MMA history. A showdown between Pereira’s knockout power and Jones’ technical brilliance is a dream matchup for fans worldwide.
But the crucial question remains: Is Pereira truly ready to face Jones at heavyweight?
What’s Next for Alex Pereira?
If Pereira is forced to vacate his light heavyweight title in order to fight Jon Jones, he will be taking a massive risk. If he loses to Jones, he won’t just miss out on the heavyweight belt—he will also have lost the championship he worked so hard to secure at light heavyweight.
Dana White now faces a critical decision: Should the UFC allow the fight to happen without forcing Pereira to vacate his title? If the organization truly wants this superfight, they may need to be more flexible with their policies.
Regardless of what happens, Alex Pereira is facing one of the most important decisions of his career. He can either vacate his belt and go all-in on a fight with Jon Jones or stay at light heavyweight and continue to dominate his division.
Chael Sonnen Predicts Pereira Will Move Up Regardless
UFC veteran Chael Sonnen believes that no matter the outcome at UFC 313, Pereira is destined to move up to heavyweight.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sonnen explained: “If Pereira wins, he’s going to be looking for something else to do, and if Pereira loses, he’s gone.”
Sonnen further argued that Pereira didn’t move up from middleweight because he conquered the division, but because he lost to Israel Adesanya. “I predict he’s moving up, and the ticking time bomb of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall dragging this out reaches midnight as soon as Pereira is done with Ankalaev—win or lose.”
Dana White’s Decision Will Shape the Future of Superfights
If Sonnen is right, UFC 313 isn’t just a title defense for Pereira—it’s his farewell to light heavyweight. As Ariel Helwani noted, Dana White isn’t a fan of champions holding onto their belts while pursuing another division’s glory.
If Pereira truly wants his shot at Jon Jones, he may have to follow Ilia Topuria’s path and relinquish his title. But will Dana White reconsider, allowing a superfight for the ages?
Will Pereira Vacate or Challenge for Champ-Champ Status?
The MMA world is buzzing with speculation. Will Pereira vacate his belt whether he wins or loses at UFC 313? Or will Dana White make an exception, setting up one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history?
