Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, has a well-defined vision for the concluding chapters of his remarkable career. After recently reclaiming his title from Magomed Ankalaev, “Poatan” quickly drew the attention of MMA legend Jon Jones, hinting at a potential super fight that has ignited significant fan excitement.
Pereira has confirmed that a highly anticipated clash with Jon Jones at a proposed UFC event at the White House in 2026 is prominently featured on his career roadmap. However, this monumental matchup in the octagon is just one of several dream fights he aims to accomplish before potentially hanging up his gloves.
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Alex Pereira Eyes Boxing After Jon Jones Showdown
While UFC President Dana White has previously expressed some reservations about a potential Pereira vs. Jones bout, Pereira`s consistent emergence as one of the promotion`s top stars suggests that his ambitious wishes might ultimately be granted. At 38 years old, Pereira believes now is the opportune moment to pursue legacy-defining challenges. He stated on the Podcast Connect Cast that his age is a significant factor in his decision to target a fight with Jones at this stage of his career.
Beyond the realm of mixed martial arts, Pereira has openly expressed a strong desire to transition into professional boxing—a goal he harbored even before his recent title loss. While he didn`t explicitly name unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who had previously challenged him, Pereira clearly revealed his intention to step into the boxing ring after his highly anticipated encounter with Jones.
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“Definitely,” Pereira affirmed when asked about making the switch to boxing. “Look, I made it clear that I want to fight boxing. Same thing, right? When I got into kickboxing, they didn’t believe me. MMA, same thing. Boxing, we’ll say the same thing. But I’m used to it. I don’t care. I just want to go out there and fight. It’s not just about aiming for more money. I like a challenge… I want to be the best.”
Immediate Priorities for Pereira and Usyk
Alex Pereira had initially hoped to potentially face Oleksandr Usyk in September of this year, but his focus had to shift towards reclaiming his UFC title. With his current sights set on taking some time off before a potential return at the White House in June 2026, this timeline could align favorably with Usyk`s own plans. The elite heavyweight boxer has indicated that he intends to conclude his current boxing career before exploring other ventures, such as a crossover into MMA, for instance, against Jake Paul.
Despite both Pereira and Usyk currently managing other significant priorities, their paths could very well converge in the future once they have accomplished their immediate goals, potentially setting the stage for another high-stakes crossover spectacle that would captivate the combat sports world.