Dana White’s bizarre P4P claim of Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev gets backing from UFC veterans

Aljamain Sterling and Jon Jones share their opinions on who is #1 pound-for-pound fighter in UFC.

Dana White’s bizarre P4P claim of Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev gets backing from UFC veterans

Dana White picks Jon Jones over Islam Makhachev (Image via Imago)

Dana White‘s comments at the UFC 302 press conference have stirred mixed reactions from a lot of people in the MMA community. The pound-for-pound dispute in the UFC between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev has been on for a while now. Islam Makhachev reigns as the #1 pound-for-pound UFC fighter. However, Dana White and other UFC veterans have reasons to promote Jon Jones as the true pound-for-pound champion.

Aljamain Sterling recently talked about Dana White’s comments on his YouTube channel. He elucidated what makes for the pound-for-pound title and how skills matter more than the weight class. 

For me, I agree. I think if we're talking pound-for-pound...Everyone's criteria is different but I think pound-for-pound would mean, the way I understand it is, if weight was not a factor, size wasn't a factor, skill for skill, who would be the best guy? And I agree, I think it's Jon Jones.
Aljamain Sterling on his YouTube channel
YouTube video

Sterling pointed out that comparing a lightweight fighter and a heavyweight fighter is very difficult due to obvious reasons. Instead, if everyone were all the same weight, skill-for-skill, who would win? He gave the example of ‘Mighty Mouse’ Demetrious Johnson to support his argument, who is considered one of the best in the sport.

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However, Mighty Mouse fighting at higher weight classes would affect his performance in the octagon. Regardless, Sterling acknowledged that everyone’s criteria would be different but for him, he would go with Jon Jones over Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

Michael Bisping supports Dana White picking Jon Jones over Islam Makhachev as best pound-for-pound fighter

UFC veteran Michael Bisping has a similar opinion when it comes to who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. The UFC CEO argued that Jon Jones has fought every tough fighter in the promotion, never lost a fight, moved to heavyweight, and took over after reigning the lightweight division for years. Therefore, as long as ‘Bones’ is still active and in the rankings, there should be no arguments about this topic.

Michael Bisping supports Dana White's pick of Jon Jones over Islam Makhachev for #1 pound-for pound
Michael Bisping supports Dana White’s pick of Jon Jones over Islam Makhachev for #1 pound-for pound (Image via Imago)

Bisping had a similar viewpoint. He brought up Islam Makhachev’s record, and although he has 26 wins and just one loss to his name his competition does not match with that of Jon Jones.

When you compare Islam's record side by side with the record of Jon Jones. granted, long time ago, Jon Jones is still fighting though. I do believe that currently, the pound-for-pound number one on the planet is Jon Jones.
Michael Bisping on his YouTube channel

What is Islam Makhachev’s reaction to all this? The lightweight champion is still #1 on the pound-for-pound ranking list. He was not very happy with Dana White’s comments but said it was White’s personal opinion. The Dagestani believes he saved the UFC 302 card as all other fights were pretty boring.

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