Michael Bisping Warns Tom Aspinall: Alex Pereira Will Steal the Chance to Fight Jon Jones After UFC 313

The UFC heavyweight division is facing an interesting shake-up, with several contenders vying for a shot at the undisputed champion, Jon Jones. Among them is Tom Aspinall, who currently holds the interim UFC heavyweight title. However, former middleweight champion Michael Bisping has warned Aspinall that he might not be next in line for a fight with Jones. According to Bisping, another rising star, Alex Pereira, could jump the queue and secure the coveted title shot after UFC 313.

The Rise of Tom Aspinall in the Heavyweight Division

Tom Aspinall has quickly become one of the most promising heavyweights in the UFC. His impressive speed, technical striking, and high-level grappling make him a well-rounded threat in the division. After recovering from a knee injury, Aspinall made a spectacular comeback, claiming the interim heavyweight belt with a dominant performance.

While Aspinall’s resume is strong, his biggest challenge lies ahead—getting past the contractual and promotional roadblocks that could prevent him from fighting Jon Jones. Although an interim champion would traditionally unify the belt against the undisputed champion, the UFC is a business, and matchups are often made based on what generates the most excitement and revenue.

Michael Bisping’s Warning: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Ascent

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has voiced concerns that Tom Aspinall might be left waiting for his shot at Jon Jones. His reasoning? The UFC’s newfound golden boy, Alex Pereira. Since moving up to the light heavyweight division, Pereira has been on a dominant run, securing the 205-pound title and cementing his place as one of the most dangerous strikers in the promotion.

With Pereira’s knockout power and star power, Bisping believes the UFC might prefer to push him into a heavyweight title fight instead of giving the opportunity to Aspinall. According to Bisping, if Pereira wins in spectacular fashion at UFC 313, he could become the next challenger for Jon Jones.

Why Alex Pereira Might Get the Title Shot First

There are several factors that could make Alex Pereira the UFC’s preferred choice for a heavyweight title fight against Jon Jones:

1. Star Power and Marketability – Pereira has quickly become one of the UFC’s biggest attractions. His rivalry with Israel Adesanya and his highlight-reel knockouts have made him a fan favorite. The UFC often prioritizes big-money fights, and a Jones vs. Pereira matchup would likely generate massive pay-per-view numbers.

2. Style Matchup – The UFC loves stylistically intriguing fights. Alex Pereira is known for his elite striking, while Jon Jones is one of the most well-rounded fighters in MMA history. A fight between these two would be a classic striker vs. grappler contest, which has historically drawn a lot of interest.

3. Timing and Momentum – With Tom Aspinall still establishing himself, the UFC might not see him as the biggest draw just yet. If Pereira wins at UFC 313, his momentum could make him the clear next contender for Jon Jones.

4. UFC’s Business Interests – The UFC has a history of prioritizing fights that generate the most revenue rather than strictly following rankings. If the promotion sees a Pereira vs. Jones fight as more lucrative, they may bypass Aspinall, despite his rightful claim to the title shot.

What This Means for Tom Aspinall

If Michael Bisping’s prediction comes true, Tom Aspinall could be forced to wait for his opportunity. While he is currently the interim champion, the UFC does not always follow a strict ranking system when booking title fights. If the UFC chooses to book Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira, Aspinall may have to defend his interim belt again or wait for Jones to vacate the title.

Aspinall has expressed his desire to unify the heavyweight belt, but he also knows how unpredictable the fight business can be. He might need to stay active and keep winning to ensure his claim to the title remains strong.

Could Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira Fight Each Other First?

One intriguing possibility is a fight between Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira before either gets a shot at Jon Jones. If the UFC is hesitant to grant Pereira an immediate title shot, they may book a No. 1 contender fight between him and Aspinall.

This matchup would test Pereira’s ability to handle a true heavyweight, while also giving Aspinall a chance to solidify his claim to the undisputed title. However, given the UFC’s history of fast-tracking star fighters, Pereira may not need to go through Aspinall at all.

The Future of the Heavyweight Division

The UFC heavyweight division is at a pivotal moment. Jon Jones remains the king of the division, but with contenders like Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira, the landscape could change quickly. If Pereira does move up to heavyweight and receives a title shot before Aspinall, it could set up a new rivalry between the interim champion and the former light heavyweight champion.

For now, Tom Aspinall must stay focused and prepared for whatever comes next. Whether he faces Jon Jones or another top contender, his goal remains the same: to become the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. However, with Alex Pereira in the picture, his path to the title may not be as straightforward as he had hoped.

How Jon Jones Factors into the Decision

The biggest question remains: what does Jon Jones want? While the UFC will ultimately decide the matchmaking, Jones has significant influence. If he prefers to fight Pereira over Aspinall, he may push for that fight to happen. Given Jones’ reputation for taking fights that enhance his legacy, he may see Pereira as a more appealing challenge than Aspinall.

Additionally, Jones has previously hinted at retirement after his next fight. If he truly plans to walk away soon, he may opt for the biggest spectacle possible, which could mean a super fight against Pereira instead of a title unification bout with Aspinall.

Conclusion

Michael Bisping‘s warning to Tom Aspinall is a reminder of how unpredictable the UFC can be. While Aspinall has earned his shot at Jon Jones, the emergence of Alex Pereira as a heavyweight contender could shake up the title picture. If Pereira wins impressively at UFC 313, he may leapfrog Aspinall and take the fight with Jones, leaving the interim champion in limbo.

The coming months will be crucial in determining who truly gets the next chance to fight for the UFC heavyweight title. Whether it’s Tom Aspinall, Alex Pereira, or another contender, one thing is certain—the heavyweight division is in for some major shifts. Fans will have to wait and see how the UFC handles this situation, but for now, Aspinall must be wary of Pereira potentially stealing his long-awaited opportunity.