UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones is the best fighter in the UFC. Apparently not a week goes by without White making his case The headliner of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York. This is despite the fact that Islam Makhachev is ranked No. 1 in the official UFC rankings.
The pound-for-pound conversation is complicated without criteria. That's what you'll see when you explore UFC fighters' opinions on the matter. Some point to Jones' longevity and body of work. Others argue that Makhachev's activity and the recent quality of the opposition take precedence. One could even argue that Jones or Makhachev are more skilled, so they would win the top prize if weight wasn't an issue.
White's arguments about pound-for-pound status should refer to the Official UFC Rankings. The rankings, despite their own flawed, loose criteria, should essentially reflect who is currently the best in a division. This is easier to distinguish in a specific weight class in which fighters compete. It becomes more difficult when you have to evaluate CVs that have little or no overlap.
CBS Sports spoke with a number of former UFC champions and current competitors. Check out how they, along with other fighters, pondered whether Jones or Makhachev is currently the No. 1 contender.
Georges St-Pierre (former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion): “I think right now [Makhachev] is currently the best pound-for-pound ratio. Because of his last performances. Simply incredible. Also an amazing demonstration of his heart as he had a bad cut on his forehead and [Dustin] Poirier made his life difficult. I pushed the pace to the extreme and I think this fight will make Makhachev even better. These are the struggles that make you grow.” (Tristar Gym)
Arman Tsarukyan (No. 1 lightweight): “The pound-for-pound No. 1 is Jon Jones because he is a legend. He's still fighting. We'll see. He's fighting next month and if he beats Stipe Miocic he'll have to be No. 1 pound-for-pound.” When he retires, of course it will be Islam.” (MMA junkie)
Sean O'Malley (former UFC bantamweight champion): “The greatest fighter of the moment? Probably Islam. I mean, Jon Jones is up there. I think Jon has fought once in the last four or five years. Jon Jones is up there.” [as] the greatest of all time, but who is the greatest right now? For example, whoever has been active in the last four years or whatever, I think it's Islam, but Jon Jones will always be in the conversation.Helen Yee)
Chris Weidman (former UFC middleweight champion): “I just take Jon Jones for everything he’s done in his career. It's hard to question him as No. 1 in the pound-for-pound race to beat a guy like Ciryl Gane so quickly that I'd put him at one. (CBS Sports)
Caio Borralho (No. 6 middleweight): “At the moment it may be Islam. But the best MMA athlete of all time is Jon Jones, there is no doubt about it. He beat the best guys, he took on the toughest guys in the division and he won. He's one of the most competitive guys I've ever seen, I think Jon Jones is the GOAT, there's no doubt about that. (CBS Sports)
Frankie Edgar (former UFC lightweight champion): “I think for the overall bodywork you have to go with Jon Jones because of his durability. But the pound-for-pound guy right now is Islam Makhachev.” (CBS Sports)
Beneil Dariush (No. 8 lightweight): “As the years go by, Jon Jones is definitely something to watch. Currently, Makhachev is working his butt off. Right now I would say Makhachev.” (CBS Sports)
Aljamain Sterling (former UFC bantamweight champion): “When we talk pound for pound, everyone’s criteria is different. But I think pound for pound, as I understand it, is if weight wasn't a factor, then who would be if weight wasn't a factor? The best guy? I agree, I think it's Jon Jones. (Sterling's Podcast)
Raquel Pennington (former UFC women's bantamweight champion): “I'm the type of person who thinks it's about career and everything else, but I'm also about personalities. I am for Islam.” (CBS Sports)
Jan Blachowicz (former UFC light heavyweight champion): “Jon Jones. I just don't like his stories with drugs and pictograms. But he just did a lot more.” (CBS Sports)
