Jon Jones believes he would have had little trouble submitting Alex Pereira had the two ever shared the Octagon, pointing to the Brazilian's wrestling as the biggest weakness in his game.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has long teased a potential showdown with Pereira, who recently moved up to the heavyweight division. However, "Poatan" suffered a loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, ending speculation about an immediate clash between the two former champions.
Speaking to ALF Global in an interview released earlier this week, Jones explained why he believes he would have held a significant advantage if they had fought.
"I watched Pereira train," Jones said. "I see his level of wrestling and it's way behind. I feel as if Stipe Miocic is a true heavyweight. He's a big, big boy. Ciryl Gane, when you see him in person, he's a big, big boy. Alex Pereira is not a big, big boy. He's a lean guy. I think right now he weighs maybe 250."
Jones said he believes his size, strength, and grappling would have quickly turned the fight in his favor.
"I feel as if my physical strength would have been too much for him," Jones said. "I felt as if the moment I would have gotten him to the ground, my submissions would have come pretty quickly. I mean, everyone knows that. I think that's the clearest path to victory for me against Alex Pereira. But we're not fighting. I am a fan of him. I support him, and I want to see him do well."
While a bout with Pereira appears unlikely, Jones also addressed recent speculation about a potential grappling match with longtime rival Daniel Cormier.
The pair fought twice during their heated UFC rivalry, with Jones winning both meetings inside the Octagon, although their first result was later overturned to a no contest following Jones' failed drug test.
Jones said he is confident he would also come out on top in a wrestling match with the former two-division UFC champion.
"I think I would have beat DC in a wrestling match," Jones said. "It wouldn't be easy, but I think I would beat him in wrestling. I hear that he has problems with his back, so my strategy would be to just try to wear on him. Not shoot, not go for the takedown, but just hand fight, hand fight, hand fight, and see if I could wear on that back."
