Following Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, UFC President Dana White had some thoughts on the current pound-for-pound debate.
Currently, the top spot on the list is occupied by the 155-pound champion who sits one place above the consensus greatest of all time, Jon Jones.
White firmly believes that the answer is “Bones” but others have questioned whether his recent activity should factor into the equation.
Of course, it is a hypothetical argument to be having as the entire list is based around if every fighter was the same weight, who would be the best.
Makhachev certainly has the edge when you look at his current strength of schedule and recent performances but it is impossible to look past Jones when you take overall careers into account.
Aljamain Sterling Backs Up Dana White’s Comments With Henry Cejudo Example
When he decided to vacate the light heavyweight title and move up to heavyweight, it was three years before fans saw Jones compete again.
His injury ahead of UFC 295 last November hasn’t helped the questions about his activity either.
Aljamain Sterling, however, said on his YouTube channel that he backs White’s argument because of Jones’ last fight.
The former light heavyweight king took three years off, came back and made it look easy when he submitted Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in just over two minutes.
Sterling used the example of Henry Cejudo to demonstrate his point, stating how “Triple C” attempted to come back and was unsuccessful in his title challenge at UFC 288 – which shows why the significance of the Gane victory can’t be overlooked.
“I was about to say, three years off and to come back and do that to the number one guy like Dana said, I actually really agree with that.
“Jon Jones, what he did, is super impressive. Henry Cejudo came back, he tried to do what he tried to do and look what happened. He’s ‘the greatest combat athlete of all time’, no disrespect to him but…”
