Alex Pereira on training with Jon Jones: ‘I don’t think that makes as much sense any more’

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira previously said he wanted to train with heavyweight champ Jon Jones ahead of Jones’ title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Now, it appears Pereira doesn’t think that’s the best idea.

Pereira is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 this Saturday in Las Vegas. “Poatan” was asked whether or not he’d still like to train with Jones.

“To be honest, I don’t think that makes as much sense anymore,” Pereira told Bloody Elbow via a Portuguese translator. “Back when I said that I would like to fight at heavyweight, people already put the dots together and basically mentioned Jon Jones. That’s something that is speculated, even if it’s just by the fans.

“So I wouldn’t want to go and train with him now, and then if we end up fighting, people will start saying a bunch of stuff about whatever in the fight. I think it wouldn’t make sense now, but if we were to fight one day and then go train, I think it would make total sense.”

Jones’ future is still unclear following his lopsided finish win over Miocic this past November. “Bones” has been calling out Pereira for a champ vs. champ fight for several months, but fans—and UFC CEO Dana White—would like to see Jones do the right thing and unify the title with interim champ and No. 1 contender Tom Aspinall.

If that fight were to happen, Pereira hopes to have a front row seat.

“I won’t necessarily be studying the fight, but I’d watch it closely,” Pereira said. “Obviously, any heavyweight fight is already exciting, and then you put in Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. I think that’s a very exciting fight, so I’ll be watching closely, but as a fan.”