For years, Dana White has maintained that Jon Jones stands alone as the greatest fighter in UFC history. Now, that status may be in jeopardy. Ahead of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, the UFC CEO revealed that Alex Pereira could potentially leapfrog Jones atop his all-time list if he defeats Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.
The comments have immediately reignited debate surrounding the greatest fighter in UFC history and added even more intrigue to one of the biggest events the promotion has ever staged.
Pereira already owns one of the most unique résumés in UFC history. The Brazilian knockout artist captured UFC titles at both middleweight and light heavyweight after making his Octagon debut in November 2021.
Now, he has an opportunity to become the first fighter ever to win a version of a UFC championship in three separate weight classes when he faces Gane on June 14. The bout will headline the historic UFC Freedom 250 card on the South Lawn of the White House and will be streamed live on Paramount+. If Pereira wins, White believes the achievement could fundamentally alter the UFC’s all-time rankings.
Dana White Makes Stunning Statement
Speaking with Forbes, White didn’t hesitate when discussing what a victory would mean for Pereira’s legacy. “You got Pereira possibly winning his third world title,” White said.
“If he wins the third world title that night, he jumps over Jon Jones and becomes the greatest of all time.” The statement marks one of the strongest endorsements White has ever given to a fighter not named Jones.
For years, the UFC president has consistently defended Jones’ position atop the sport’s historical rankings despite ongoing debates among fans and analysts. Now, Pereira appears to have a legitimate path to changing White’s mind.
Pereira’s Rapid Rise Has Been Unprecedented
Few fighters in UFC history have accomplished as much as Pereira in such a short amount of time. After arriving in the UFC following a decorated kickboxing career, Pereira quickly climbed the ranks and defeated Israel Adesanya to capture the middleweight championship.
He later moved up to light heavyweight and won championship gold again before becoming one of the promotion’s biggest stars. At just 13 professional MMA victories, Pereira has already compiled a résumé that rivals many UFC legends who spent years building their careers. His devastating knockout power and willingness to fight anyone have only strengthened his reputation.
Jon Jones Still Has the Strongest Case
Despite White’s comments, many fans will argue that Jones remains the gold standard. The former longtime light heavyweight champion and UFC heavyweight titleholder owns one of the deepest championship résumés in MMA history, including numerous title defenses and victories over multiple generations of elite competition.
Jones’ dominance stretched across more than a decade, making his body of work difficult to match. At the same time, debates surrounding Jones’ legacy have often included controversies outside the cage and disciplinary issues throughout his career. Those factors have frequently complicated discussions about his place in the sport’s history.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
