Hold on to your hats, fight fans! We've got a clash of opinions that's sure to ignite the MMA world. Joe Rogan thinks Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones is the biggest fight in human history, but Khabib Nurmagomedov vehemently disagrees. Is Rogan overhyping things, or is Khabib missing something? Let's dive in.
According to "The Eagle" himself, Khabib believes that Islam Makhachev versus Ilia Topuria is the true mega-fight we should all be clamoring for right now. While he acknowledges the potential draw of Pereira vs. Jones, he simply doesn't think it reaches the same level of hype and interest as Makhachev vs. Topuria. But here's where it gets controversial... why does Khabib feel this way?
Let's break down Khabib's reasoning, as presented on the "Weighing In" podcast. He stated plainly, "I think right now Islam vs. Topuria is gonna be the biggest fight, not Jones and Pereira. It’s still a big fight, but not on that level.” So, what makes this potential Makhachev vs. Topuria matchup so special in Khabib's eyes?
To understand this, we need a little context. Remember when Jon Jones held the heavyweight title? Many fans felt he avoided a fight with interim champ Tom Aspinall for far too long. In fact, Jones retired this past June, only to re-enter the drug testing pool just weeks later, fueled by President Donald Trump's announcement of a UFC event at the White House in June 2026. This move by Jones sparked considerable debate about his intentions and legacy. Was he genuinely interested in defending his title, or was something else at play?
Meanwhile, Alex "Poatan" Pereira reclaimed his light heavyweight title in dominant fashion, quickly dispatching Magomed Ankalaev in their rematch at UFC 320 last month. Fresh off his victory, Pereira immediately called out Jon Jones for a superfight at heavyweight, setting the stage for the potential clash that Rogan champions. And this is the part most people miss... the narrative surrounding Jones's return and Pereira's call-out adds another layer of intrigue to their potential fight. Are fans more excited by the potential spectacle than the actual competition?
Now, let's shift our focus to the Makhachev vs. Topuria narrative. Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight champion, had been aggressively pursuing a lightweight title shot against then-champ Islam Makhachev. However, the landscape shifted dramatically. After Belal Muhammad was defeated by Jack Della Maddalena this past May, Makhachev (27-1) moved up to welterweight. He's now slated to challenge Della Maddalena (18-2) for the welterweight title in the main event at UFC 322 this weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York. Topuria has openly teased a move up to welterweight to challenge Makhachev if he wins the belt, creating a compelling storyline of champion vs. champion, and a potential clash of styles that many find incredibly exciting.
So, who's right? Is Joe Rogan correct in his assessment that Pereira vs. Jones is the biggest fight imaginable? Or does Khabib Nurmagomedov have a point about the potential magnitude of Makhachev vs. Topuria? Consider the implications: champion vs. champion, a clash of divisions, and a storyline filled with personal rivalries. Which fight truly holds more weight in your opinion, and why? Let us know in the comments below – we're eager to hear your thoughts!
