Dana White: Pereira Would Be MMA GOAT Ahead of Jones With Heavyweight Title

Dana White has declared that Alex Pereira would surpass Jon Jones as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time if the Brazilian champion captures a third UFC title at heavyweight.

Pereira, 38, currently holds the light heavyweight championship and has reportedly added significant mass ahead of a debut at the sport's heaviest division. Known as "Poatan," the Brazilian fighter owns a professional MMA record of 13-4-0 and trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, Pereira is one of the most prolific strikers in the promotion, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. He already holds titles from two separate weight classes, and a third would represent an achievement without precedent in UFC history.

Jones, nicknamed "Bones," presents the benchmark Pereira would need to clear. The 38-year-old American carries a record of 28-1-0 and is widely regarded as the current standard-bearer for the GOAT conversation. Standing six-foot-four with a remarkable 84-inch reach, Jones averages 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters the sport has produced.

Why it matters

• Pereira winning heavyweight gold would give him titles in three separate divisions, a feat never accomplished in UFC history.
• Jones built his own legend in part by dominating light heavyweight for years before moving to heavyweight, the same path Pereira is now following.
• The style matchup between two six-foot-four orthodox strikers with comparable records at the elite level would make any future pound-for-pound comparison exceptionally difficult to settle.
• White's public framing raises the stakes on Pereira's heavyweight campaign well beyond a single fight result.