UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Islam Makhachev is right to hold the pound-for-pound throne over fellow champions like Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, and Ilia Topuria.
Not many topics have received the kind of discourse and scrutiny as the P4P debate in 2024, largely down to UFC CEO Dana White's fury at the current order.
Leading the way is lightweight kingpin Makhachev, who followed a pair of title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023 by stalling the late-career championship ambitions of Dustin Poirier this past June.
For White, that's ludicrous. His view is that heavyweight titleholder Jones is the clear and obvious choice, despite not yet defending his gold in the 19 months since his crowning and competing just once since February 2020.
Before getting back to top spot, "Bones" also has to climb above Alex Pereira. After reeling off three straight title defenses in 2024, the light heavyweight champ occupies the number two position.
And most recently, Topuria staked his claim and received the nods from some in the community after completing a memorable year of activity with a featherweight defense against Max Holloway. Like he did Alexander Volkanovski this past February, "El Matador" floored "Blessed" with his brutal power, putting himself in a good position to collect the Fighter of the Year accolades.
During a recent interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, Anik assessed the current standings, explaining why he gives the clear advantage to Makhachev over Topuria when it comes to P4P.
He also detailed why he doesn't consider Jones worthy of top spot at this moment in time (cover your eyes, Dana).
I am but one man with one opinion. ... Ilia Topuria's accomplishments this year are undeniable. To do what he did to Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway successively, relatively close or in their fighting primes, is otherworldly. But for me, KI, Islam Makhachev's ability to find that takedown and find that submission in his last title defense against Dustin Poirier is about as good as it gets, right?
And he was the guy (pound-for-pound number one) going in, so I don't know that he loses that perch for me. I have always put 155 pounds on a pedestal. I do believe 155 pounds is the deepest division," Anik continued. "For me, it is Islam Makhachev every day of the week. Jon Jones is in the conversation, but inactivity I think largely takes him out of the discourse.
Makhachev has held the crown ever since usurping Jones weeks after his knockout win over Volkanovski in October 2023.
While Jones has the chance to rise again with a victory over Stipe Miocic next weekend, should the Dagestani get the better of Arman Tsarukyan in their expected title clash next January, "Bones" may have to settle for silver — or perhaps bronze if Alex Pereira holds his position.
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