Dana White’s ‘AI’ proposal back-fires as Jon Jones gets swiped off from P4P rankings

AI's pound for pound rankings leaves out Jon Jones, causes Dana White to question the veracity of the source.

Dana White’s ‘AI’ proposal back-fires as Jon Jones gets swiped off from P4P rankings

Dana White and Jon Jones (Image via Imago)

MMA media and UFC boss/fighters do not have a good relationship because of the ranking system. What happens when you ask AI to do MMA’s pound-for-pound rankings? Surprisingly, it leaves out Jon Jones leaving Dana White in complete disbelief. This is exactly what transpired during Tuesday Night’s Contender Series presser. A journalist disclosed pound-for-pound rankings churned out by Chat GPT.

The rankings had Alexander Volkanoski at the top, followed by Islam Makhachev, Leon Edwards, Charles Oliveira, and Aljamain Sterling. It remains uncertain what logic the AI used to compile the list. The list looks like a P4P list from 2023 when all except Oliveira reigned as the champion. Nonetheless, Dana White also raised an eyebrow at the rankings and suggested that he would employ real AI.

Yeah, I don’t know what AI are you using? (laughs) MMA Junkie AI? So when we get a real AI platform in place….I can’t wait.

Dana White via Contender Series presser
YouTube video

Dana White has been at the forefront of bringing AI solutions to eradicate ranking mishaps. Following the conclusion of UFC Paris, the MMA world saw yet another baffling error in ranking. Despite making a statement in Paris, Brazilian Renato Moicano did not move up in the rankings. This issue angered Dana White, who threw more weight on making use of AI to fix the problems forever.

White has been dismissive of the troublesome ranking ever since it left Jon Jones out of pole position. Vouching for Jon Jones’ rightful place at the top, he shed light on his numerous achievements to back his claim. Nevertheless, whatever AI the reporter used did not rank Jones at the top. The UFC boss loves to brag about Jones. As such, he has something special in store for the undisputed champion.

Dana White hoping to book Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall in 2025

The Albuquerque resident has made it quite clear that he won’t accept another fight after facing Stipe Miocic. The 37-year-old fighter stated that his fight with Miocic would help him rope in $15 million, and he intends to retire shortly after. However, it seems like UFC’s head honcho doesn’t really believe him at all.

Dana White UFC
Dana White (Image via CNN)

Speaking on the Contender Series presser, UFC CEO Dana White promised to book Tom Aspinall against Jones. This will come after UFC 309, where ‘Bones’ will defend his heavyweight title. Despite Aspinall calling Jones out for ducking him, the UFC boss thinks otherwise.

Dislike him, whatever your beef is with Jon Jones, knock yourself out. There’s no way in hell that Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall. That I guarantee you.

Dana White via MMA Fighting

Englishmen, Tom Aspinall, has been campaigning to fight Jon Jones, ever since he won the interim title at UFC 295. Since then, he has already defended his title once against Curtis Blaydes, while Jones is yet to defend his strap despite winning it before him. Only time will tell if Dana White can book the dream fight.