“Who he beat last 5 fight,” Islam Makhachev questions Jon Jones’ P4P status taunting opponent choices as he claims rankings are ‘bulls*it’

Islam Makhachev doubts Jon Jones' pound-for-pound ranking ahead of their upcoming fight at UFC 294.

“Who he beat last 5 fight,” Islam Makhachev questions Jon Jones’ P4P status taunting opponent choices as he claims rankings are ‘bulls*it’

Islam Makhachev questions Jon Jones' position in UFC rankings ( Image via Imago )

Islam Makhachev recently sat down with the media ahead of UFC 294 where he underscored the essential mindset of a true champion. He stressed the willingness to accept any fight, regardless of the circumstances. During this dialogue, the UFC lightweight champion could not resist making a reference to Jon Jones, the UFC’s reigning top pound-for-pound fighter. Makhachev alleged that Jones had evaded a fight with Chael Sonnen in the past.

Islam Makhachev also raised questions about the credibility of Jones’ position as the number one pound-for-pound fighter. He expressed his concerns, stating that a true champion must step up, irrespective of the timing or the opponent. “If you’re a real champion, you have to take a fight, doesn’t matter how many days, who it’s gonna be,” he said. “Not like your pound-for-pound champion, when they gave him Chael Sonnen. If you’re a real champion, you have to fight”.

YouTube video

Makhachev questioned the system of rankings and questioned how Jon Jones earned the top position in the pound-for-pound rankings. “They put him number one… who’s he beat in his last five fights?”, he said. As for the rankings Makhachev said, “And I just want to say about the rankings,… this is bulls*t and I’m not following anymore”.

FS Video

Conor McGregor, who is friends with Jon Jones caught whiff of Islam Makhachev’s comments on social media. The UFC superstar voiced his discontent with X and lashed out at Makhachev. “This guy is a gumbeen. This is what happens when cousins have s*x and have a child together…,” McGregor wrote.

Related: “How does Islam look bigger than him?” – Fans in shock as lightweight Islam Makhachev looks as big as 185-pound contender Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC 294

Islam Makhachev responds to Alexander Volkanovski’s accusations ahead of UFC 294

Islam Makhachev has responded to Alexander Volkanovski’s recent comments concerning the short-notice bout at UFC 294. On the event day, Volkanovski spoke his mind on accepting the fight on short notice. He stated that had their roles been reversed, the fight would not have taken place, stressing that Islam wouldn’t agree to a 12-day notice fight.

Alexander Volkanovski Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski spoke on accepting UFC 294 fight on short notice ( Image via Imago )

When a reporter inquired about Volkanovski’s statement, Makhachev made it clear that had the featherweight champion been offered a title match, he would have declined the fight, prioritizing risk avoidance. Additionally, Islam accused Volkanovski of being motivated by financial gain.

In response to Volkanovski’s assertion that all the pressure was on him, Makhachev replied that he did not feel any pressure. He said that he was the champion, and he had beaten Alexander before. He expressed his confidence in replicating the victory at UFC 294.

In case you missed it!