There aren’t many issues that Dana White has defended within the UFC extra vehemently currently than his passionate declaration that Jon Jones is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter within the sport.
Whereas it’s robust to disclaim Jones’ standing among the many best of all-time, his inactivity over the previous few years has pushed him additional down these rankings whereas different athletes like Islam Makhachev have continued to take out contender after contender. Proper now it’s Makhachev sitting atop the legendary pound-for-pound record each within the MMA Combating International Rankings and the UFC’s official rankings, absolutely to White’s dismay.
For all of the methods White has continued to pound the desk relating to his perception that Jones needs to be No. 1, Makhachev’s supervisor believes he is aware of why the UFC boss is taking such a powerful stance on the topic.
“Pay attention, it’s the rationale why Dana White is the pound-for-pound best promoter on this planet,” Ali Abdelaziz defined when talking to MMA Combating. “Jon Jones is combating subsequent month. He’s combating a man [in Stipe Miocic], he’s in all probability going to be -800 towards. [This is] the easiest way to advertise this battle, to advertise Jon Jones.
“Dana by no means promoted Jon Jones for some purpose. However now he’s on Jon Jones’ wagon. Guess what? This promotes Jon Jones, too. He can say he’s the best of all time. Islam Makhachev proper now at the moment is the pound-for-pound best fighter on this planet by far. It’s not even second place. However Dana’s Dana. Folks suppose he’s speaking gospel.”
Abdelaziz might need a degree primarily based on the chances surrounding Jones’ upcoming battle booked towards Miocic on Nov. 16 in the primary occasion at UFC 309 in New York.
Whereas it’s unimaginable to negate Miocic as one of many best heavyweights in MMA historical past, he hasn’t fought since 2021 and his final look was a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Add to that, Miocic only in the near past turned 42 and most oddsmakers have him round a 6-to-1 underdog going into the battle with Jones.
There’s additionally been a number of blowback that Jones needs to be combating interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall subsequent reasonably than Miocic getting back from a three-plus yr lengthy layoff.
That’s why Abdelaziz can’t fault White for pumping up Jones any manner he can, particularly with a pay-per-vieiw to promote in November.
“In actuality, it’s what it’s,” Abdelaziz stated. “Dana goes to be Dana, Islam has simply acquired to maintain going and show to everybody he’s the pound-for-pound king. I’m not fearful about it. Islam just isn’t fearful about it. However Dana’s supposed to advertise Jon Jones and he’s doing it and he’s doing a fantastic job at it.”
So far as what comes subsequent for Makhachev, the reigning UFC light-weight champion is anticipated to return in early 2025 after coping with a thumb damage following his submission win over Dustin Poirier in June.
Makhachev’s coach and longtime good friend Khabib Nurmagomedov not too long ago acknowledged {that a} battle was supplied and accepted for January, though no additional particulars had been revealed.
Abdelaziz says that timeline is unquestionably potential now that Makhachev has been cleared to compete once more.
“I believe January, February,” Abdelaziz stated. “He’s prepared. I gave the UFC the inexperienced mild and so they’re going to e book him towards somebody, it doesn’t matter who. It may be anyone. Islam goes to battle whoever they offer [to him], it doesn’t actually matter who.
“Good to go. Firing on all cylinders. Anyone, any time, anyplace.”
Makhachev’s opponent is nearly actually going to be Arman Tsarukyan, who’s driving a four-fight win streak within the division and he’s been considered because the No. 1 contender for the title.
That’s the matchup that makes probably the most sense however Abdelaziz says in the end it doesn’t matter who they throw at Makhachev, which is why he doesn’t actually name out opponents because the champion.
“I believe Arman, he deserves it greater than anybody,” Abdelaziz stated. “It may be Arman, it may be [Renato] Moicano. It may be [Dan] Hooker … no, Hooker doesn’t deserve nothing.”
