Jon Anik doesn’t agree with Dana White, believing that Islam Makhachev must be No. 1 pound-for-pound over Jon Jones.
Light-weight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound within the UFC rankings, which has brought about White to soften down on multiple event. White argues that Jones is undeniably No. 1, though he presently sits at No. 3 behind mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Makhachev.
Anik agrees with the UFC rankings as he thinks Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) having not competed since claiming the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023 performs an enormous half.
“Islam Makhachev’s skill to search out that takedown and discover that submission in his final title protection in opposition to Dustin Poirier is about pretty much as good because it will get,” Anik instructed Kevin Iole. “For me, he was the man stepping into, so I don’t know that he loses that perch for me. I’ve at all times put 155 kilos on a pedestal. I do consider 155 kilos is the deepest division.
“And a part of the rationale why Ilia Topuria is getting Fighter of the 12 months consideration, and rightfully so over Alex Pereira, is due to the depth of his division. However for me, it’s Islam Makhachev day by day of the week. Jon Jones is within the dialog, however inactivity, I feel, largely takes him out of the discourse.”
If Jones retires, Anik OK with it
Jones is scheduled to defend his heavyweight title in opposition to Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) within the UFC 309 important occasion Nov. 16 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
Each Jones and his coaches have hinted that he’ll retire after dealing with Miocic, and Anik thinks he shouldn’t get any flack if that does find yourself taking place.
“If Jon Jones doesn’t struggle Tom Aspinall after elevating a sixteenth championship banner in Albuquerque, New Mexico in idea by beating Stipe Miocic, I don’t know that anyone would actually decide him,” Anik stated.
“Sure, the competitor that resides inside Jon Jones, there might be no greater be aware upon which to exit than to beat both Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira for Jon Jones, proper? However the dude doesn’t want that prime be aware. He’s the best of all time.”
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