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For years, Dana White has consistently referred to Jon Jones as the greatest fighter in UFC history. That distinction, however, may no longer be untouchable.
According to the UFC president, Alex Pereira could soon enter the conversation at the very top if he manages to defeat Ciryl Gane in their interim heavyweight title bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 in Washington, D.C.
A victory would represent another historic milestone for Pereira. After capturing titles at middleweight and light heavyweight, the Brazilian star would become the first fighter ever to win championship gold in three different UFC divisions, albeit with the heavyweight belt initially carrying interim status.
White believes such an achievement could be enough to elevate “Poatan” above every other fighter in the promotion’s history – including Jones.
“If Pereira wins a third world title, he moves ahead of Jon Jones and becomes the greatest of all time,” White said during an interview with Forbes.
At 38 years old, Pereira has already built one of the most remarkable résumés in modern MMA. Since making his UFC debut in late 2021, he has claimed championships in multiple weight classes and established himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Jones, meanwhile, remains one of the most decorated champions the organization has ever seen, with a lengthy reign, numerous title defenses, and victories over generations of elite contenders. His accomplishments span more than a decade and have set standards few fighters have approached.
Still, White’s latest comments suggest the debate over the UFC’s all-time greatest fighter is far from settled. Whether his statement reflects a genuine shift in opinion or serves to generate additional excitement around the upcoming event, one thing is clear: Pereira now has a chance to make history and potentially reshape the GOAT conversation once again.
