The UFC’s historic White House event is still six months away, but the card’s biggest potential matchup might already be slipping through the promotion’s fingers and Daniel Cormier isn’t thrilled about it.
After reclaiming his light heavyweight title at UFC 320, Alex Pereira made it clear he wanted a superfight against Jon Jones at the UFC’s upcoming June 14 spectacle on the South Lawn. Jones, newly back in the USADA testing pool and out of retirement, enthusiastically accepted.
But UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly shown little interest in the matchup, and earlier this week Pereira added fuel to the uncertainty with a cryptic message stating he was a “No Go” for the White House card. He offered no details, leaving fans and analysts confused including Cormier.
“The most discouraging news would be Alex Pereira saying he’s not going to fight at the White House,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel.
“He’s one of the biggest stars in the UFC… and when he fights, you know there’s going to be fireworks.”
Cormier: Pereira vs. Jones Was the Fight Everyone Wanted
Cormier emphasized that the disappointment goes deeper than star power. Both fighters publicly wanted the fight, removing much of the usual matchmaking friction. “If he was to fight, the fight he offered was against Jon Jones,” Cormier said. “Jon Jones replied, ‘I would love to do that. Please let me on the White House.’ So now you immediately have the American star in Jones vs. the big star in Pereira.”
Cormier believes Pereira’s sudden exit from the card signals that the UFC may have already shut down the superfight behind closed doors.
“I wonder if someone told him that’s not what they’re doing,” he said. “Because I don’t know why else he would make it public.” Jones has also implied he won’t compete at the event unless Pereira is involved.
If Not Jones–Pereira… Then What?
The UFC has promoted the White House show as the biggest event in company history — a claim that Cormier says requires equally massive matchups.
“If Pereira is not on, if Jones is not on, how big is the UFC willing to make this card?” Cormier asked. “How many title fights are they willing to put on to ensure this is the greatest card we’ve ever seen?”
Cormier referenced the standard set by UFC 300, which featured three title fights and a prelim lineup stacked with former champions.
He believes the UFC should rethink its stance while the opportunity remains.
“I don’t often disagree with how things work at the UFC,” Cormier said. “But Jones vs. Pereira is low-hanging fruit. You already have two guys saying, ‘We want to do that.’ Put them out there!”
Cormier’s Preferred Weight Class: 205, Not Heavyweight
Pereira has said he wants to face Jones at heavyweight, but Cormier strongly disagrees arguing that Jones is at his peak at light heavyweight, not at his current size. “I think Jones should fight Pereira at 205,” Cormier said. “Jon Jones the heavyweight isn’t Jon Jones the light heavyweight.”
Cormier’s reasoning:
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Jones performs better when he’s forced to cut weight and maintain strict discipline.
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Pereira, though large for 205, would be undersized at heavyweight compared to Jones.
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A 205-pound matchup would showcase both fighters at their sharpest.
“If Pereira fights him at heavyweight, Pereira’s too small, and heavyweight Jon Jones isn’t as good,” Cormier explained.
“You want the best product? Put them at 205.”
What Happens Next?
With the White House event under construction and details scarce, the question now is whether the UFC will pivot or if the superfight evaporates before negotiations ever truly begin. Cormier remains hopeful the promotion reconsiders. The fans want it. The fighters want it. And, in Cormier’s eyes, it’s the clearest path to delivering a card worthy of the most historic setting in UFC history.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
