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The UFC world was still reeling from the chaos of UFC 321 when Jon Jones and Alex Pereira decided to stir things up again. In a bizarre twist, what began as mutual respect between two champions evolved into one of the strangest callouts in recent memory: a fight proposed not for Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden, but for the White House. The idea sounded historic, perhaps even political, but some insiders saw it as more smoke than fire. According to Chael Sonnen, the proposal may not survive the hype. On his YouTube channel, ‘The American Gangster’ dissected the viral exchange between the two veterans, pointing out the one thing that didn’t fit. “That’s the only part that’s off—this White House business. There’s no cool guys talking about the White House.” According to Sonnen, the former champion’s fixation with the White House was an indication that ‘Bones’ wasn’t serious about returning to the Octagon anytime soon. And his argument may not be far off. Jon Jones has been largely absent from competition, while Alex Pereira, who has already won titles in two divisions, has stated that he is eager for fresh opportunities. His timing could not have been better. With Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane ending in a no-contest, the heavyweight division seems wide open, and Pereira’s witty jab—“Let’s make the heavyweight division great again”—offered fans something to rally behind. Jones’ comment simply fueled the flames, but as Chael Sonnen pointed out on his YouTube channel, timing is crucial, and ‘Bones’ seems perpetually out of sync. “The only guy that doesn’t want to fight that is a fighter is Jon,” Chael Sonnen claimed. He noted that Jones’ timeline may stretch as far as mid-2026, which is an eternity in fight years. “If Pereira finds out he’s going to fight Jones and it’s not until three seasons away… he’s not going to want to fight him anymore.” Sonnen also hinted that Jon Jones’ interest in the “White House” could reflect something deeper: a desire for prestige, not just competition. In the end, the UFC veteran’s opinion was less about criticizing Jones and more about grounding the fantasy. The prospect of Pereira vs. Jones under presidential lights sounds like the stuff of legends, but the reality is considerably simpler: one fighter is seeking the next challenge, while the other seems content chasing an idea. Until Jon Jones decides to fight earlier, the bout seems like nothing but a pipe dream. Especially knowing how Alex Pereira seems to have momentum and big money options for his next fight. Alex Pereira already has some really big options ahead If Jon Jones continues to delay his comeback, Alex Pereira won’t have to wait. The Brazilian knockout artist has the rare leverage of choice: he may pursue his heavyweight dream or defend his 205-pound title against fresh obstacles. Dana White, on the other hand, is unwilling to approve yet another move up. While Pereira’s desire to face Jones made headlines, the UFC CEO suggested that his attention should remain on light heavyweight, where unfinished business and new contenders await. Azamat Murzakanov, one of those contenders, has just made his case in brutal fashion. His first-round knockout of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321 did more than just extend his undefeated streak; it also prompted the UFC and even Islam Makhachev to take notice. If ‘Poatan’ actually wants to establish his supremacy before going up, a match against Murzakanov could be the ideal test. The timing couldn’t be better, especially since the Jon Jones-White House talk began to sound more like a fantasy than a reality. But the most outspoken challenger came from Pereira’s own circle of influence: City Kickboxing’s Carlos Ulberg. Ulberg declared, “That’s the big fight,” while watching Pereira demolish Magomed Ankalaev from cageside. “That’s the big fight. That’s the money fight. That’s the entertaining fight.” For Ulberg, Alex Pereira is more than just a belt holder; he’s the ultimate testing ground. And, as ‘Poatan’ weighs fame, legacy, and history, his next choice could shape not only his career but also the future of two entire divisions. What do you think? What’s next for Alex Pereira? Let us know in the comments.
