Joe Rogan believes the UFC should deliver what could be the biggest fight in MMA history, Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones, and he thinks it deserves the “BMF” label.
Earlier this month at UFC 320, Pereira reclaimed his light heavyweight title with a brutal first-round knockout win over Magomed Ankalaev. After the victory, “Poatan” revealed that he planned to call out Jones but decided against it out of respect following the passing of Jones’s brother. Still, Pereira made it clear that if he could choose his next opponent, it would be Jones for the UFC White House event.
On The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan backed the idea without hesitation and proposed an added twist to make the matchup even more iconic.
“It would be Alex,” Rogan said. “The big money fight is Alex and Jon Jones at the White House. Are you fcking kidding me? Catchweight. Make it 225 pounds. Alex is still the light heavyweight champion; make it a catchweight fight. It doesn’t have to be for a title. Make it the ‘Bad Motherfcker Upper Edition.’”
Rogan went on to praise Pereira, calling him one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. He also drew a comparison to the existing “BMF” belt.
“You have the ‘BMF’ belt for 155ers. Who is the real BMF? Do you think any one of those guys can beat Alex Pereira? You think you can get a 155-pounder in there against Alex Pereira? Does Max Holloway survive against Alex Pereira? No! Shut the fck up. That’s the bad motherfcker.”
Since the creation of the BMF title, fans have pushed for other divisions to have their own versions. The idea has never come to fruition, but Rogan believes a matchup of this magnitude deserves something bigger than a regular belt
“The Jon Jones–Alex Pereira fight will probably be the biggest fight in human history, in MMA,” Rogan said. “As a matchup, you’ve got the greatest of all time in Jon Jones and arguably the most destructive striker that’s ever competed. No one is like that guy.”
Jones has fought only twice at heavyweight, winning both bouts against Ciryl Gane and Stipe Miocic by submission and TKO, respectively. Meanwhile, Pereira has made history as a two-division UFC champion, conquering both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
A catchweight bout between the two would allow Pereira to test himself against Jones without vacating his belt while giving Jones a high-stakes challenge. Rogan believes this fight could surpass every major event the UFC has ever hosted.
“The big money fight is Pereira and Jones at the White House,” Rogan emphasized. “Catchweight. Make it 225 pounds. Alex is still the light heavyweight champion, make it a catchweight fight.”
