JONES DOUBTS PEREIRA: 'I DON'T KNOW' ABOUT PAVLOVICH FIGHT
“The Alex that showed up at the last fight was hesitant and maybe, you know, second-guessing himself.”
Jon Jones told The Schmo he is unsure about Alex Pereira's chances against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 — and admitted he will be watching.
"I don't know [about his chances to beat Pavlovich]. I don't know."
That is Jon Jones, asked about Alex Pereira's next heavyweight test. The greatest of all time just told The Schmo he has no read on it — and that says plenty.
Why It Matters Now
Pereira vs Pavlovich is the five-round co-main event at UFC 335 on December 12 in Las Vegas. Jones spent months campaigning to fight Pereira himself. The UFC went another way. Now the man who wanted the fight is openly questioning whether Pereira survives it.
THE DOUBT
Jones did not hide behind diplomacy. He said he expected Pereira to give Ciryl Gane a much tougher fight at UFC Freedom 250 — and what he saw instead left him cold. That is not the Pereira who ruled two divisions.
"The Alex that showed up at the last fight was hesitant and maybe, you know, second-guessing himself." — Jon Jones
Pereira lost that night by second-round knockout. It was his heavyweight debut after vacating the light heavyweight title, and Jones believes the hesitation is the story.
THE HISTORY
This one cuts deeper because Jones wanted Pereira first. He pushed for the superfight at the White House event. The UFC booked Pereira against Gane for the interim heavyweight title instead — and Gane knocked him out.
Now Pereira gets Sergei Pavlovich, one of the most dangerous punchers on the planet, in a five-rounder. Jones would not pick a winner.
"But I will be watching, that's for sure."
THE MATCHUP
Pavlovich is one of the division's most violent punchers — when he touches you clean, the night is over. Pereira has the cleaner technique and the deeper championship experience, but Jones's point stands: the hesitant version of Pereira does not survive five rounds with this man.
WHAT IT MEANS
If Jones — the man who has seen every version of Pereira — cannot talk himself into picking him, that is the headline. Pavlovich only needs one clean shot. Pereira needs five perfect rounds. So who are you picking on December 12?
