Uh oh, someone is hiding the latest UFC pound-for-pound rankings from Dana White.
After the UFC boss passionately argued with MMA reporter Kevin Iole about how heavyweight champion Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) should be the pound-for-pound No. 1 over the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, he will probably lose in your mind after the latest UFC 303 update.
“That’s the problem with the conversation we’re having here and why people aren’t respecting Jon Jones on a pound-for-pound basis,” White said during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference.
“This damn guy destroyed the best heavyweight in the division. Easily made it seem like nothing. Jon Jones is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the greatest fighter of all time, period, end of story.
White won’t be thrilled, but light heavyweight champion Alexandre Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) moved up two spots to second place, ahead of Jones (No. 3) and welterweight champion Leon Edwards (No. 4) after knocking out Jiri Prochazka in their rematch for the title last Saturday.
Jones sitting in third place will certainly irritate White.
Dana White can go crazy on vacation.
Islam Makhachev remains in first place in the latest pound-for-pound rankings update, while Alex Pereira moves up to second place following his #UFC303 to win.
This means Jon Jones drops to third place. pic.twitter.com/y14MQUT2jk
-John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) July 2, 2024
Iole’s argument was that activity plays a factor. Makhachev fought last October and June, while Pereira fought four times last year.
Meanwhile, Jones has competed just once in more than four years. He was scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, but withdrew due to injury. The fight should be rescheduled by the end of the year.
For some reason, White has made it very clear that he doesn’t hold inactivity against Jones.
“He got hurt,” White said. “He was trying to fight. It’s not like he’s sitting around and doesn’t want to fight. The guy came to fight. It is the first injury he has suffered. And listen to me! I’m not defending Jon Jones. Jon Jones has been one of my biggest headaches throughout my time at this company. The guy hasn’t been the company’s model fighter. No matter what you think of Jon Jones, he is the best of all time and the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
“If you were going into a fight and you got hurt, does that mean you’re no longer the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world? How does this make sense? Does not make sense. If he was sitting around and getting arrested and running around or something and you’re like, ‘Well, Jon Jones is inactive.’ I would say, ‘Maybe you’re right.’ But as an educated adult who knows the fight business, you can’t deny that even though Jon Jones is active, he’s the greatest fighter in the world.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 303.
