Overview
- The interview, released July 28, 2026, has Jones saying he would have taken Pereira to the mat and finished him quickly, calling Pereira’s wrestling “way behind.”
- Jones argued his size and top control would be the clearest path to victory and said Pereira is not the same kind of heavyweight as fighters like Stipe Miocic or Ciryl Gane.
- Jones camp pressed to fight Pereira for the June card known as UFC Freedom 250 but negotiations stalled, and some outlets reported Jones objected to a reported $15 million cap on his payday.
- Pereira moved up to heavyweight and fought Ciryl Gane at the Freedom 250 card, where he lost by second-round stoppage, a result that weakens the immediate case for a high-profile superfight.
- The bout remains unlikely in the near term because Jones is inactive though he has signaled openness to return, and Pereira’s heavyweight start is stalled, so fans should expect only continued talk rather than a confirmed fight.