Pereira puzzled by Jones' GOAT taunt after Gane stoppage at UFC White House

Alex Pereira says he cannot understand why Jon Jones chose to mock him following his second-round TKO defeat to Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House last weekend — a loss made more contentious by the controversy surrounding several illegal blows landed during the finish.

Jones responded to the result by posting a video of himself wearing a GOAT necklace, a pointed reference to the greatest-of-all-time debate that had been swirling around Pereira heading into the fight. Dana White had publicly stated he would consider Pereira the GOAT if he defeated Gane; Jones, who retired last year without ever fighting then-interim champion Tom Aspinall, appeared to reclaim that mantle with the gesture.

“To be honest, I was very surprised,” Pereira said on YouTube. “If I was one of the guys that provoked him, then lose, and then he goes and says something, I’d understand. But I’ve never spoken bad about Jon Jones. I’ve always respected… For real, I don’t understand why he did that. In a moment so difficult, he decided to provoke someone who’s never provoked him. Look at the difference. When he was going through a difficult time, I sent him support… Even with all this I’ll not stop being a fan of him. I’ve always spoken well about him.”

The dig landed with particular sting given the history between the two fighters. Pereira had previously called for a White House matchup against Jones, who had publicly lobbied to be on the card and even thanked Pereira for the callout. Their relationship had, until now, been defined by mutual respect.

Context may soften the blow slightly. Jones’ video was arguably aimed more at White than at Pereira directly, given the UFC president’s repeated insistence on crowning Jones the GOAT before his abrupt retirement — and his subsequent suggestion that Pereira could claim that status with a win over Gane.

Pereira, now 13-4, takes the loss and the taunt in stride. Despite his confusion, he says his admiration for Jones remains intact — a grace that, for now at least, appears to be running in only one direction.