For many, UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is a shoo-in when selecting four names for the Mount Rushmore of MMA. Not for this former fighter, however...
The topic of creating an MMA Mt. Rushmore has returned to the surface this week after UFC CEO Dana White selected his four names during a video for ESPN MMA's social media channels.
White chose Jones and Georges St-Pierre, two names that were among the consensus picks and widely selected by the MMA Masses. But he caused debate by putting them alongside Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey.
The list marked a significant change from his Mt. Rushmore from 2020, which saw Jones joined by Amanda Nunes, Chuck Liddell, and Royce Gracie.
Many have been quick to dismiss the presence of "The Notorious" Irishman and "Rowdy" on White's list, but one former UFC fighter recently took issue with another of his ex-employer's selections...
Alvey Dismisses Jones' MMA Mount Rushmore Credentials
The topic of White's frequent backing of Jones' greatness and pound-for-pound status has become a running joke in the MMA community. A previous one in years gone by surrounded Sam Alvey, who managed to remain on the roster despite amassing the lengthiest winless streak in the promotion's history.
Well, when world's collide...
In the comment section of an MMA Fighting Instagram post detailing White's Mt. Rushmore picks, Alvey rejected Jones as a worthy candidate for one of the four spots. According to "Smile'n," the former light heavyweight kingpin hasn't done enough for the sport and is barely even known outside of it.
"Y'all know I'm not a (Jon) Jones fan. He cheats too much, but he hasn't done anything that's spectacular for the sport," Alvey wrote. "He's been good for a long time, but his pay-per-view numbers aren't great, his finishes used to be great, and people outside of the sport can't name him.
"Ronda and (Conor McGregor) are food (picks), Gracie has to be on it, and honestly, I would put Dana White there," Alvey added.
Alvey departed the UFC in 2022 after his run without a victory stretched to nine straight fights. He's since bounced back in one MMA outing and secured a title crowning under the Karate Combat banner.
Had he remained in the UFC till now, perhaps his Jones blasphemy would have marked the tipping point for White anyway...