Alex Pereira has enjoyed a rapid rise to UFC stardom and success since he crossed over from kickboxing to the mixed martial arts realm. His UFC 295 knockout against Jiri Prochazka in late 2023 saw him reach a second mountain top on MMA’s biggest stage within only two years. The win saw him follow up a brief middleweight title reign with a light heavyweight crown.
Now a two-time champion at 205 pounds, Pereira has won six of eight UFC title fights and fits hand-in-glove in many GOAT conversations. However, proponents of his potential GOAT status have to disprove a contrary camp that thinks Jon Jones is better. Brazilian UFC fighter Carlos Prates reportedly intervened in the Alex Pereira vs Jon Jones debate and made a potentially impactful take on the controversy.
Brazilian UFC fighter makes shocking take on Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones debate
Carlos Prates ranks as the second-best welterweight fighter in the UFC, a denomination that emphasizes his knowledge of the game. He also holds a record for the second-highest number of knockdowns in UFC welterweight division history (behind Thiago Alves). Besides being the fans’ choice for the Debut of the Year Winner in 2024, he’s tied for the fifth most knockouts in UFC welterweight division history. These records and more tell the average fan to take his latest take, however shocking, on the Alex Pereira vs Jones debate.
“Today, Poatan… but prime vs prime, I think Jon Jones. Back when he was smelling flour and running over pregnant women…unstoppable. ”
According to an MMA-themed X channel, Prates would choose Pereira over Jon Jones if both players faced off within the cage today. However, he insists that Jon Jones is possibly past his prime and would have defeated Pereira (even at his best) today.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones recently spoke about failed negotiations for a fight with Alex Pereira. Negotiations between Jones and the UFC broke down over who would make the UFC White House card. Jones flagged compensation issues as the culprit, rather than the mysterious drama and confusion that spilled onto social media. While we might not see a fight between Jones and Pereira soon, expert analyses from fighters like Prates can help fans accurately assess the fighters’ prospects.