RIO DE JANEIRO — Charles Oliveira is siding with fellow Brazilian star Alex Pereira on a potential superfight with Jon Jones in 2026 after “Poatan” voiced his interest in facing him on the UFC White House
card.
Pereira mentioned that plan after knocking out Magomed Ankalaev to regain the light heavyweight championship this past weekend in Las Vegas. Jones, who like Pereira was UFC champion in two divisions, retired from the sport seven months after beating Stipe Miocic in November 2024, but then announced his intention to compete again after UFC revealed the White House plans, which President Donald Trump said is set for June 14.
“Do Bronx” headlines UFC Rio this weekend against Mateusz Gamrot and was asked by MMA Fighting during the Wednesday media day about the potential clash.
“Talking about Jon Jones is a bit complicated because I admire him a lot,” Oliveira said. “When I fought the first time, Jon Jones was there. When I was the breakthrough fighter, Jon Jones was there. I was No. 2, he was No. 1. I admire him a lot. He was there when I fought Michael Chandler the second time. I admire him a lot.”
Jones was never truly beaten in MMA, the sole defeat in 30 bouts being a disqualification against Matt Hamill, but Oliveira sees Pereira’s knockout power as a real threat to any fighter.
“It’s definitely going to be a fight that I will sit down and cheer for Brazil, for ‘Poatan,’” Oliveira said. “But I’ll be apprehensive watching it because [Jones] is great. But I think that whoever stands in front of Poatan, regardless of being someone who only takes people down, if [Pereira] lands a hand, he’s getting knocked out.”
Pereira has now beaten every single fighter he’s faced inside the UFC cage, going 10-2 with knockouts over the likes of Ankalaev, Israel Adesanya, Jiri Prochazka, Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jamahal Hill. Other Brazilians had longer reigns as champions, like Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo, but some look at Pereira’s two-division run as the reason why he’s already the greatest Brazilian to ever fight for the promotion.
“It’s not I’m staying on the fence,” Oliveira said. “Those who follow me know I’ve always said this. I think it’s all phases and moments. Anderson Silva had his time. Everybody watched him dance his way inside the cage. Aldo had his time. I think everybody had their moment, their phase, and deserve respect. If Anderson comes back to fighting today we would have to sit down and applaud him regardless of the result because they all had their phases and moments.
“Every single one of them helped the sport evolve more and open doors. Before them there were others back then, back in PRIDE days and other shows, opening doors so we could walk. The same way we’re doing now so other athletes can walk on as well. It’s all phases. They’re all gigantic. Poatan is at the top today, a gigantic man, and can definitely win the third belt [at heavyweight].”
