Dana White Says Alex Pereira Will Be UFC's GOAT, Pass Jon Jones With Win in Ciryl Gane Fight

UFC president Dana White has long touted Jon Jones as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, but it sounds like he's ready to adjust that stance.

Per ESPN's Brett Okamoto, White recently declared that former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira would overtake Jones as the GOAT if he defeats Ciryl Gane and wins the interim heavyweight championship at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14.

"If he wins the third world title that night, he jumps over Jon Jones and becomes the greatest of all time," White told Forbes.

Jones previously held the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titles. He holds the record for the most wins in UFC title fights at 16.

Still, no fighter in UFC history has ever become a three-division champion. Pereira told B/R last month that he's not focused on becoming the GOAT because he has a lot left in the tank.

Okamoto noted that "there is still a chance" that Pereira and Jones could face each other in the UFC. Jones retired from MMA last year, but he expressed interest in competing on the White House card against Pereira before White ruled him out of the event.

The winner of the interim heavyweight title fight will also be in line for a unification bout against heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who is recovering from multiple eye surgeries.

Pereira has been the UFC's biggest star of the last few years, and he would certainly cement himself in history if he defeats Gane later this month.