Credit: ESPN/X
In the main event of UFC 320, Brazilian MMA fighter Alex “Poatan” Pereira defeated Magomed Ankalaev from Russia, to win back the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 4. In the post-fight interview inside the octagon with Joe Rogan, the 38-year-old paid a tribute to UFC legend Jon Jones’ late brother Arthur Jones, asking the fans inside the arena to take a moment of silence, which was duly obliged.
Notably, Arthur Jones was a former player in the NFL, found dead in his home on Friday afternoon at just 39 years of age, which sent shockwaves in the world of MMA and American football at the same time. As per some of the reports circulating in the media, he had a heart issue after his pacemaker had sent an alert to the doctors in the early hours of October 3, just hours before his passing was confirmed.
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After winning the fight in the main event of UFC 320, Alex Pereira said the following with the help of his translator about Arthur Jones’ death, “I had a whole speech prepared tonight, I talked to my team over it. But we got some news recently, something’s happened, so I want to give my respect to Jon Jones and his whole family and I want to ask everyone here and everyone at home to take a moment of silence for his brother.”
Jon Jones took to his official X account to respond to Alex Pereira's gesture
Shortly after Alex Pereira led a tribute for Arthur Jones, Jon Jones took to his official X account in over a week to send his response, which read, “Wow, Alex”, followed by the folded hands emoji. In the time of grief for Jon Jones and his family, the kind gesture from the Poatan could go a long way in easing up some of their pain caused due to the sudden passing of Arthur Jones.
Moreover, with the first round TKO, Alex Pereira also got the revenge from Magomed Ankalaev after losing the championship to him earlier in the year at UFC 313.
