“He has a ton of experience, but people are talking about him maybe doing only one or two fights more…I don’t know if that’s possible, but I want to at least be training with him.” That was Alex Pereira reflecting on his encounter with reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 306. Even back then, ‘Poatan’ made it clear—he wanted the chance to learn from the best before it was too late. And why not? ‘Bones’, a dominant force for over 16 years, is known for his elite-level wrestling and Octagon IQ, two things Pereira, a former kickboxing star, has historically struggled with since transitioning to MMA in 2021.
The idea of these two superstars clashing or training together has long been a dream scenario for fans. Yet, that moment never materialized—especially after Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight title earlier this year to Magomed Ankalaev. Using a smart blend of takedown attempts and striking, the Russian powerhouse exposed the Brazilian’s grappling weaknesses and walked away with the belt.
Now, with buzz around the rematch heating up, Alex Pereira seems to be shifting gears. Instead of heading into another bout with the same arsenal, he’s reportedly seeking guidance from the GOAT himself—Jon Jones. As recently reported by UPFRONT MMA, who also shared a clip of ‘Poatan’ dancing on X: “Alex Pereira and coach Plinio Cruz are heading to Thailand to train with Jon Jones!” The American star is currently in Thailand, filming the Russian edition of The Ultimate Fighter—the AFL—where he’s coaching opposite Nate Diaz.
Alex “Poatan” Pereira and coach Plinio Cruz are heading to Thailand to train with Jon Jones!! pic.twitter.com/JrPY8o85LA
— UPFRONT MMA (@upfrontmma) May 16, 2025
This latest development has stirred excitement and frustration within the MMA world. After years of speculation, fans might finally witness two of the sport’s most dynamic figures—Alex Pereira and Jon Jones—joining forces in training, rather than facing off in the cage. But not everyone is thrilled. A large portion of the fanbase is growing impatient with the ‘Bones’.
Despite being the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion, he has yet to defend his title against interim champ Tom Aspinall. It’s been over 500 days since Aspinall earned that interim strap, and still, there’s no confirmed date for the long-awaited unification clash. Now, the news of Jon Jones’ training with Pereira has only added fuel to the fire. Let’s see what fans are saying about the rumored heavyweight star and Alex Pereira training link-up. Here’s a look.
Fans erupted as Alex Pereira gets ready to train with Jon Jones
More than two months have passed since Alex Pereira went toe-to-toe with Magomed Ankalaev. Days after that bout, both fighters appeared eager to run it back inside the Octagon. Yet, despite early enthusiasm and even hints of a potential August showdown, an official announcement remains elusive. Last week, UFC President Dana White unveiled several blockbuster matchups for the upcoming months, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev. However, the much-anticipated Pereira vs. Ankalaev rematch was conspicuously missing from the lineup, leaving fans and analysts puzzled.
Adding fuel to the speculation, the Russian recently claimed that both he and Alex Pereira had been approached to fight at UFC 317 in June, but ‘Poatan’ allegedly pulled out. Accusing the reigning light heavyweight champ of “ducking” him, Ankalaev stirred up a storm of reactions online. The Brazilian has remained silent on the matter so far, prompting fans to draw their own conclusions. One fan bluntly stated, “BIG ANK broke this guy,” while another echoed the sentiment, writing, “Ankalaev retired this bum.”
Since making the jump to 205 lbs in 2023, Alex Pereira has been nothing short of a wrecking ball, dispatching top-tier opponents and defending his title three times. Even at 35, he built a warrior-like reputation as someone who never backs down from a challenge. But recent behavior has sparked concerns. Between fights, ‘Poatan is known to travel and enjoy leisure time, like when he vacationed in Australia before his last bout against Ankalaev. Fans didn’t miss the opportunity to criticize. One remarked, “This guy does EVERYTHING but train. No fucking surprise he lost to Ank.” Another chimed in, “Ye no more fooking fighting.”
A light-hearted dancing clip of Pereira also came under fire. One fan wrote, “Big Ank made him more dancing than fighting.” At the same time, another harshly declared, “Aura lost -10000000.” The Brazilian’s active presence on social media, particularly on TikTok, has also become a talking point. Some believe it’s interfering with his focus and edge. As one fan put it, “Too much TikTok ruined his killer instinct.”
As talk swirls around about Alex Pereira possibly training with Jon Jones, not all fans are thrilled. One disappointed comment summed it up: “Lost me at Jones.” And with the Brazilian now reportedly set to train alongside ‘Bones’, could this be the move that reignites his momentum? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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