Aljamain Sterling disagrees with Dana White’s pound-for-pound debate reversal after UFC 311: “He’s cleaned house!”
Aljamain Sterling and Dana White at odds over Jon Jones as number one pound-for-pound fighter after UFC 311 PPV fallout.
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Aljamain Sterling thinks Jon Jones still pound-for-pound number one after UFC 311, unlike Dana White (Source: IMAGO/X)
Aljamain Sterling and Dana White are on completely different pages when it comes to the UFC pound-for-pound ranking discussions. UFC 311 PPV did enough for the UFC CEO to have a weird switch-up from Jon Jones. However, Sterling sticks to what he knows and what he knows is that “Bones” is the best pound-for-pound fighter.
Islam Makhachev was already No. 1 in the promotion’s listings. After the circumstances of his short-notice bout and a dominant win, Dana White gave him his dues. The Dagestani star defeated short-notice replacement Renato Moicano via submission (D’arce choke) – Round 1, 4:05 mark in the headliner. Aljamain Sterling cites that it should change very little.
My number one pound-for-pound – I feel like it has to be Jon Jones. He’s fighting guys in his weight…He’s cleaned house. My definition of pound-for-pound is that if weight wasn’t a factor, your overall skill, could you beat everyone based on the skill set you possess. I think he would be that guy.
Aljamain Sterling via his Official YT Channel (@FunkMasterUFC)
To “Funk Master”, Jon Jones still has all the funk, going unbeaten for so long. Makhachev had a loss to Adriano Martins in 2015 at the UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson prelims. The former bantamweight champ also alludes to the notion that the Russian’s title wins came against four former/current featherweights. Meanwhile, “Bones” cleaned house at 205-pound limit and is now 2-0 at heavyweight.
Usually towing the Jon Jones ‘best pound-for-pound’ line meant good graces with brass and Dana White; something Aljamain Sterling has always needed in his reserve. But now with the UFC boss reverting, it’s a weird and somewhat hilarious stance.
Aljo would have motive though; friend and UFC 135-pound champ Merab Dvalishvili already swiped out a mountain man. A Makhachev snub would be the second in this war. Funnily enough, another MMA notable has disagreed with White this week.
Daniel Cormier disagrees with Dana White after UFC 311
UFC Hall of Famer, competition veteran, and PPV live desk duty commentator/ESPN Weigh-in analyst Daniel Cormier is coming out strong. White has his plans and promises about who gets a crack at the 155-pound strap next. Cormier thinks it still very much should be Arman Tsarukyan.
Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) withdrew from his title fight booking due to a back injury at UFC 311. In the aftermath, Dana White said he goes back to scratch and works his way up to become top seed for 155-pound gold. Post-fight, Cormier disagrees, given that Makhachev just breaks through the competition ceiling.
I believe it still needs to be Tsarukyan, …Because I believe that Tsarukyan, even though it’s a rematch and even though we know Charles [Oliveira] is supposed to be next, …I still feel like Tsarukyan’s size, his abilities, his skillset, could present the biggest problems for Islam Makhachev.
Daniel Cormier via his Official YT Channel (@@DC_MMA)
Looking at the landscape at 155 pounds, ‘DC’ sees his wrestling pedigree as the best test. Tsarukyan earned his title shot after outpacing Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. “Do Bronx” has since rebounded with a win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309 PPV.
The Brazilian superstar is a definitely a top contender for the title, but Makhachev has already submitted him. Tsaurukyan is the only one who gave his best test in the current lineup; so Dana White might have some thinking to do.
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