Jon Jones challenged by Poatan for an exciting fight in 2026

Jon Jones retired from MMA last June. Jones’ reasoning for ending his career is simply a matter of avoiding potential opponents. ‘Bones’ would become known for avoiding high-profile opponents.

Before retiring from MMA, a UFC Heavyweight Championship fight with then-UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall was being tossed around as the next step on Jon Jones’ championship journey. However, Jones withdrew from the sport on June 20 in a phone call with UFC CEO Dana White before the fight could take place.

Tom Aspinall was elevated to the promotion’s permanent heavyweight champion due to Jon Jones’ retirement from MMA last summer. Aspinall made his first defense of the title Saturday night at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane. Due to an accidental error (eye poking) in the opening round, the match was stopped and ruled a no-contest.

Jon Jones and Alex Pereira eliminated from potential superfight on White House Card

While nothing concrete has been finalized, the 2026 UFC event schedule on its new US streaming hub Paramount Plus is currently expected to include a June 14 card on the White House grounds in Washington, DC.

In the wake of Saturday night’s UFC 321, both Jon Jones and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira took to their respective social media channels to announce their names that would be added to the show late next spring.

“Let’s make the heavyweight division great again,” Pereira wrote Instagram post, which sees him watch the medical timeout that will ultimately end the UFC 321 main event. Jon Jones created his intentions He knew he would see a super fight in June.

“Alex, I would be ready to bring the highest level of skill to the White House,” Jon Jones posted Saturday evening on X. “I appreciate the respect you have shown, let’s dance.”

Alex, I would be ready to bring the highest level of skill to the White House. I appreciate the respect you showed, let’s dance.

— Jonny Vlees (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2025

Could a super fight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira happen?

Jon Jones has had a laundry list of various issues that have kept him from making the walk to the Octagon on scheduled fight nights, as well as a strained relationship with the UFC, resulting in his vacation from the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Five years ago, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis, he was a guest at Wild ride!, a podcast hosted by Steve-O from the Fool crew.

In the episode, Jones outlined his fractured relationship with the company at the time.

“I don’t want to fight anytime soon,” he said. “I have no interest in fighting in the UFC until I get paid what I’m worth. I’m not asking for anything outrageous and I know we’re in a pandemic and I know you’re a multi-millionaire and asking for more makes you look like a greedy person.”

A few days later, he gave up the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. It’s because of Jones’ checkered past that UFC CEO Dana White doesn’t believe ‘Bones’ will step foot in the Octagon again once June rolls around.

Thoughts on a possible fight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira

Considering that Jon Jones made his feelings known that he would rather retire from active competition than face Tom Aspinall in an attempt to unify the UFC Heavyweight Championship, it is entirely possible that Pereira will be the next man Jon Jones should avoid. As someone who has followed MMA since his college days at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, it feels uncomfortable to see Jones potentially put his retirement on hold to fight Pereira.

This is a man who was done with competition as soon as the summer solstice hit. Just over four months later, he’s thinking about reversing his retirement so he can fight Alex Pereira next year.

It will be interesting to see if this competition actually takes place next year.