Step Five: Watch Two Old Men Fight And Retire

I don’t think I’m breaking any news by saying very few people are interested in seeing Jon Jones fight Stipe Miocic in what’ll likely be a retirement fight for both men. Unlike what I’m suggesting with another fight between Pereira and Adesanya, there’s no drama, no intrigue, and ultimately no meaning in the upcoming heavyweight championship bout. Miocic has effectively been retired since 2021 and hasn’t won a fight since 2020, and Jones is ducking Tom Aspinall more flagrantly than Izzy is ducking Poatan, which is saying something.

In a perfect world, this step would be called “Beat Jon Jones,” as that’d perhaps put Pereira in GOAT contention with or without a heavyweight belt around his waist. But that can’t happen because Jones is intent on ending his career facing a 42-year-old coming off a vicious knockout and an interminable layoff. So, instead, all Pereira has to do upon his arrival at heavyweight is sit back and await the next undisputed king of the division.