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Dana White Warms Up To Jones vs. Pereira UFC Clash: 'People Want To See'

The UFC CEO isn't ruling out a move up to heavyweight for Alex Pereira.

Zain Bando

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Although UFC CEO Dana White doesn't tend to make new fights immediately after an event's conclusion, his ear --- literally --- has been getting flooded with pleas and requests to try to make Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira at heavyweight the next big blockbuster unification title fight.

UFC 303: Alex Pereira vs. Jiří Procházka 2 Live Results & Highlights

Pereira knocked out Jiří Procházka in Round 2 to defend his light heavyweight title at UFC 303, likely stamping his mark on the series.

At the UFC 303 post-fight press conference, White doubled down on earlier responses and seemed intrigued by the idea of the fight. White said that the newly minted buzz began as he was leaving the Octagon after wrapping Pereira's belt on him.

"I'm standing up there with the belt and I had Joe Rogan in my ear the whole time we were up there, 'Let him fight heavyweight. Come on. Just do it.'"

- UFC CEO Dana White

Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira Has Its Own History Attached To It

Whether White will pull the trigger and make the fight remains to be seen, but he said he is greatly aware of the fan interest and the intrigue the fight may bring. Pereira has won titles in two different divisions (middleweight and light heavyweight), while Jones, minus a disqualification in December 2009, has never lost in the UFC.

"I know that's what people want to see."

- UFC CEO Dana White

For several years, the UFC opposed the idea of super fights and fighters attempting to win multiple belts in different divisions. The reason was unclear, but the organization's stance changed when Conor McGregor became the lightweight champion in 2016, making it commonplace.

UFC 303 News: Alex Pereira Demolishes Jiří Procházka in Short-Notice Main Event

Pereira is open to the idea. Jones has not tweeted since June 21, so it remains to be seen how this potential fight proceeds forward. However, the wheels are in motion for Pereira to become the first fighter in promotional history to win belts in three divisions.

For now, only time will tell, as Pereira helped the UFC achieve the fourth-highest gate in company history.

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Zain Bando

ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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