Jon Jones Had The Division On Lock But Alex Pereira Brings Destruction

The UFC is a brutal battleground where only the strongest survive. Fighters come and go, champions rise and fall, but few leave an everlasting mark on the sport. Right now, Alex Pereira is on the verge of accomplishing something that hasn’t been done in over a decade—and the only name in history to match it is none other than Jon Jones. If Pereira defeats Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, he will have four title defenses in less than 12 months—an astonishing pace that no modern champion has dared to attempt. The last time the UFC saw a champion dominate this relentlessly was when Jon Jones ran through the light heavyweight division over a decade ago. In an era where champions barely defend their titles once or twice a year, Pereira is showing the world what an old-school fighter with a modern arsenal looks like. The question is—can he surpass Jon Jones, or will he be just another name in the record books?

Jon Jones—The Last Fighter to Dominate This Way

It’s impossible to talk about title defenses, dominance, and sheer UFC greatness without mentioning Jon Jones.

Back in 2011 and 2012, Jones wasn’t just the best fighter in the UFC—he was a phenomenon that the sport had never seen before.

Let’s break it down.

Jones won the light heavyweight title in March 2011 by obliterating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and then he went on a rampage:

September 2011: Defeated Rampage Jackson

December 2011: Choked out Lyoto Machida in one of the most iconic finishes in UFC history

April 2012: Dominated former teammate Rashad Evans

September 2012: Survived an insane armbar attempt and submitted Vitor Belfort

Four defenses in under 12 months.

Nobody since has even come close.

Jones made it look effortless—he picked apart legends, embarrassed elite fighters, and did it all without ever looking vulnerable.

Until now, no champion has replicated that level of dominance.

And suddenly, Alex Pereira is standing at the edge of history, ready to take that same path.

Alex Pereira—A Different Kind of Monster

Alex Pereira is not Jon Jones—he doesn’t have the wrestling, he doesn’t have the unorthodox striking, and he doesn’t have the decade-long reign of terror.

But what does he have? Unmatched knockout power.

Jones was a methodical genius—a fighter who could break down opponents over five rounds. But Pereira? He doesn’t need that much time.

He is a one-shot, one-kill machine, and the evidence is clear:

Jiri Prochazka? Shut down.

Jamahal Hill? Obliterated in two rounds.

Jan Blachowicz? Overwhelmed.

Every fighter who steps in against Pereira faces a different kind of fear—the knowledge that at any moment, a single punch or kick could end their night and their career.

Jon Jones was the apex predator of his era. But Pereira? He might be something even scarier.

The Inevitable Comparison—Pereira vs. Jones

Whenever a fighter breaks records, the comparisons to past legends begin. It’s natural. Fans need to measure greatness, and in the world of MMA, every dominant fighter is held up against the greats who came before them.

But is Alex Pereira the next Jon Jones?

Let’s break it down:

Skillset

Jon Jones was a technical genius. His striking was unpredictable, his wrestling was suffocating, and his ability to control distance and pace made him nearly unbeatable. He didn’t just win fights—he neutralized his opponents.

Pereira, on the other hand, is a pure destroyer. His striking is precise, his power is absurd, and his finishing ability is terrifying. He doesn’t need five rounds to take someone apart—he just needs one clean shot.

Verdict: Jones was a more well-rounded fighter, but Pereira’s knockout ability is something the sport has rarely seen before.

Dominance Over a Division

Jones ruled the light heavyweight division for nearly a decade. He beat every top contender of his time, and even after moving up to heavyweight, no one in the division has truly filled his shoes.

Pereira has only been a champion for a short time, but his impact has been immediate. He has already beaten some of the division’s biggest names, and if he gets past Ankalaev, he’ll have cleared out an entire weight class in record time.

Verdict: Jones had a longer reign, but Pereira’s rapid destruction of top-tier fighters is equally impressive.

Fight Style and Fear Factor

Jones was the kind of fighter who could break an opponent mentally before the fight even started. His reach, his unpredictable style, and his confidence made him a nightmare. Fighters went into the cage already knowing they were in for five rounds of hell.

Pereira’s fear factor is different—it’s instant death. Opponents don’t just lose to Pereira—they get violently finished. Fighters who step into the cage against him know they are one mistake away from being unconscious.

Verdict: Both fighters bring different kinds of dominance, but Pereira’s finishing ability is far more terrifying.

What If Pereira Wins? The Fallout Could Be Massive

If Alex Pereira defeats Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, the UFC will have a serious problem—who’s left?

Jamahal Hill is already begging for a rematch, but let’s be real—what’s going to change the second time around? The power difference is too extreme.

Then there’s Israel Adesanya lurking in the background. The UFC knows that a trilogy fight between Pereira and Adesanya at light heavyweight would be a massive draw.

But there’s also one more possibility that could shake the sport.

Could Pereira make the jump to heavyweight?

If he runs through Ankalaev and clears out the division, the next logical step would be to chase an even bigger legacy. If Jon Jones decides to return to defend his heavyweight title, would Pereira dare to make the jump and challenge him?

A superfight between Pereira and Jones at heavyweight would be one of the biggest fights in UFC history.

And let’s not forget—Pereira has already knocked out one of Jones’ toughest rivals, Glover Teixeira, in training.

If that fight ever happens, the MMA world would erupt.

A New King or Just Another Challenger?

Every generation has its greatest fighters.

Jon Jones ruled his era.
Khabib Nurmagomedov left as an undefeated legend.
And now, Alex Pereira is rewriting history.

If Pereira secures this win at UFC 313, he won’t just be a dominant champion—he’ll be a force the UFC hasn’t seen in over a decade.

And then the debates will start.

Is Pereira the next Jon Jones? Or is he something even greater?

The answer might come sooner than we think.