Alex Pereira gives his verdict on the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall debate 

Alex Pereira predicted the highly anticipated heavyweight title unification bout between champion Jon Jones and interim title holder Tom Aspinall.

Jones has declined to fight Aspinall, citing the latter's relatively short list of accomplishments and demanding higher payment to give him the opportunity. This decision has led to intense speculation within the MMA community, with many believing that the champion is trying to evade the challenge posed by the younger and highly skilled Brit.

During an interview with TNT Sports, Pereira shared his thoughts on the matchup and predicted the winner:

"I think Jon Jones has a lot of experience on his side. Some people say Aspinall this, Aspinall that... But when it comes down to experience, Jon Jones is a seasoned guy. He's been there. So I think he wins." [Translated by Plinio Cruz]

Check out Alex Pereira's comments below (2:34):

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Alex Pereira shares his thoughts on the potential Jon Jones fight - "I love that"

After his UFC 309 win over Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones has expressed the desire to compete against veteran fighters like light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who have created lasting legacies and are at the same stage of their career as him.

Although UFC CEO Dana White struck down the possibility of Jones vs. Pereira citing the size difference and Jones' elite wrestling, Pereira himself welcomed the bout while speaking to TNT Sports in the aforementioned interview:

"Well, I like that, I love that... I was happy to see the initiative that he took to speak on the microphone to express everybody that he wants to fight me. That said, we both want that fight but it all comes down to what plans the organization has for us." [Translated by Plinio Cruz] [0:52]

When asked how the fight between him and Jones would play out, Pereira said:

"I think I'll just continue my training. Of course, I'm evolving, I'm learning a lot. I think that at the time this fight will happen, I think I will get a good amount of time to prepare. I will gain at least five kilos. Today I weigh 103 kg, I think I will weigh 108 kg for the fight and it will be more or less the same weight as Jon Jones." [Translated from Portuguese] [1:18]

Pereira is coming off an impressive fourth-round TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. He's expected to defend the 205-pound title against Russia's Magomed Ankalaev, but the bout hasn't been announced yet.