UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is open to coaching with heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Up subsequent for “Poatan” is a protection of his title towards Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 on Oct. 5. After that, he’s prepared to assist Jones put together for his upcoming heavyweight title conflict with Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16.
Pereira attended UFC 306 this previous Saturday in Las Vegas and stated in an interview with Full Ship that he’s been texting “Bones” for some time about probably coaching collectively, and that it may occur earlier than Jones fights Miocic at UFC 309 in New York.
“I believe there’s some good time [between our fights], his combat is barely in November,” Pereira stated. “There’s at all times one thing coming off a combat, a small damage, so we will get some relaxation after which prepare collectively.”
Pereira and Jones posed for photos inside Sphere on Saturday and the Brazilian stated he felt Jones gave the impression to be “extra athletic and leaner” in comparison with when he final fought at UFC 285, the place he scored a fast submission victory over Cyril Gane in March 2023 to earn a vacant heavyweight title. Coaching collectively may stop the 2 champions dealing with off in the future within the octagon, and Pereira stated he’s not targeted on chasing that combat for the time being.
“Lots of people speak about this superfight however I believe I’ve to profit from this man’s expertise,” Pereira stated. “He has a ton of expertise, however individuals are speaking about him possibly doing just one or two fights extra, and I’m not even at heavyweight but. I don’t know if that’s attainable, however I need to at the very least be coaching with him.”
Requested who he would select for a champion vs. champion conflict subsequent if middleweight Dricus du Plessis and heavyweights Jones are on the desk, Poatan tripled down on his intention to regain his 185-pound belt.
“Dricus du Plessis is the simpler combat,” Pereira stated. “It’s more durable to chop the burden, however as I’ve stated after I moved up in weight that I wanted two or three fights with out this weight minimize for my physique to recuperate, after which I may do the minimize once more. I’ve stated that after the [Jiri Prochazka rematch] and I’m nonetheless ready for a solution. He by no means provides a straight reply. Everyone is aware of he’s scared.
“Dricus du Plessis at all times jokes in his reply. We are able to see he doesn’t need this. He has to say, ‘UFC, make this combat occur. Alex needs it, I need it, so let’s make it occur.’ It’s simpler to work if he says that, however we will see from his reply that he’s scared. Assh*le [laughs].”
