Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira: Wrestling Poses Big Question for Pereira’s Heavyweight Move

Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren sees a potential roadblock for Alex Pereira’s proposed heavyweight clash with Jon Jones: wrestling.

While impressed by Pereira’s rapid rise to two UFC titles (middleweight and light heavyweight), Askren believes Jones’ grappling dominance could be a major hurdle for the powerful striker. 

On his podcast with Daniel Cormier, Askren highlighted Pereira’s struggles against wrestlers. “We saw Adesanya take him down and keep him down,” he said, referencing Pereira’s time fighting Israel Adesanya at middleweight.

Askren finds it surprising that Pereira hasn’t faced more takedown attempts in his recent title run. “There are questions about his wrestling,” Askren continued. “How would he do against good wrestling? We don’t know.”

He pointed out that despite Pereira’s impressive wins, he hasn’t fought a true wrestling specialist. “Jan Blachowicz took him down and kept him down for a round,” Askren acknowledged, “but Jan’s not really a wrestler.”

This lack of experience against takedowns leads Askren to believe a fight with Jones could be a quick night for “Bones.” Referencing Jones’ recent victory over Ciryl Gane, Askren stated, “Look what Jon did to Gane. He’s a large man, a high-level wrestler… If he fights Jon Jones, I think there’s a chance it’s over in like two and a half minutes.”

Jones, who captured the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023, is currently sidelined with injuries. Most fans, including Askren, favor a matchup between Jones and the interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall. 

“We want to see Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall,” Askren said. “Aspinall’s got the interim belt, Jon’s got the [other] belt. It just doesn’t make any sense. Just freaking make them fight, and then if Jon beats him, then Pereira vs. Jones.”

Askren emphasizes the importance of respecting the current title picture. “You can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting here with the interim be it,” he concluded.