Islam Makhachev succinctly explained why he deserves to beat Jon Jones to become the UFC pound-for-pound champion.
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The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off of successfully defending his title for the third time, defeating former interim champion Dustin Poirier by submission in the main event of UFC 302 last Saturday.
UFC CEO Dana White made waves shortly after UFC 302 by claiming he still considers Jones the best fighter in the world despite his recent inactivity, and just days after defending his title, Makhachev took to his Instagram Story to show why he should be ranked higher than the current heavyweight titleholder.
“Bones” surprised fans in 2020 when he decided to vacate his light heavyweight title before moving up to heavyweight. It took a few years, but Jones finally made his debut in the division at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane by first-round submission to win the vacant heavyweight title.
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The 36-year-old was scheduled to defend his belt against two-time champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 but was forced to withdraw due to a torn pectoral muscle, with Tom Aspinall now the interim titleholder at heavyweight, and Curtis Blaydes claiming to be the “real” champion ahead of their clash at UFC 304.
“John will hear this and think: 'What, he doesn't think I'm the best heavyweight?' No, John, sorry, I don't think you've ever actually fought at heavyweight, sorry… I think Aspinall is the man with the real belt.”
– Curtis Blaydes appears on The MMA Hour
“Bones” has continued to frustrate fans by insisting on rebooking the fight with Miocic rather than Aspinall, and there has been speculation that the former light heavyweight champion may retire from boxing after the bout.
Jones is considered by many to be the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts due to his long list of accomplishments and victories, but as long as he remains active in the UFC and Makhachev continues to dominate, there will always be debate as to who should sit atop the pound-for-pound rankings.
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