There is nothing like Dana White‘s fixation with ranking Jon Jones #1 on the UFC pound-for-pound list. Most journalists agree with the GOAT argument for Jones. The P4P list is different altogether. The CEO believes that as long as Jones is active in the promotion, he deserves the spot. Although journalists and media outlets disagree with White’s proposal, the 55-year-old has a unique solution.
Last night, the DWCS broadcast showed a 90-second video about Jon Jones. The video indicated Jones’s past accolades and why he is the undisputed GOAT of UFC. During the press conference, White again got into an argument with journalists, claiming Jones was the pound-for-pound (P4P) number one. White then jokingly stated that AI will rank the P4P more accurately in the future.
Do you know what’s f****** great about technology? We’re not far away from AI actually doing these rankings! It’ll be a great f***** day when AI starts doing this s***. I’m really excited about that
Dana White via Contender Series 70 Presser
If White had the authority, he would have undoubtedly placed Jon Jones as the number one in the current P4P rankings. Unfortunately for White, the UFC P4P rankings are selected by a group of journalists who follow the sport. These members vote on the rankings after each UFC event. They consider fighters’ performances, records, and level of competition independent of weight class and overall activity.
Dana White hints that he is going to replace journalists doing UFC P4P rankings with AI because of their Jon Jones ranking
“It will be a great f**king day, I’m really excited about that”
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) September 4, 2024
Dana White‘s obsession with Jones being the P4P number one originates from Jones’ highly decorated UFC career. The American fighter has competed in 15 championship bouts and has never lost one. His dominance in the light heavyweight division extends over three generations of fighters. However, that’s not what P4P number one means.
Why Jon Jones isn’t the pound-for-pound (P4P) king?
Given the overall record over the last few years, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is the P4P ace. He is followed by Alex Pereira, who recently beat Jon Jones for second place due to superior activity. While Dana White doesn’t care about any of this, many others refuse to accept the UFC’s narrative.
Top UFC pound-for-pound fighters (via Imago)Jones’s most recent accomplishment was moving up and beating the top heavyweight to become the champion. All of this, though, may not support his case of being the P4P king. The P4P king title was discussed by well-known reporter Ariel Helwani on his program, The MMA Hour. As it turns out, other fighters may have a claim to the title because of what the P4P means.
The P4P discussion is not a legacy discussion. P4P discussion right now is who’s the best right now. Who’s the baddest man in world right now, if everything is equal and everyone is fighting at the same weight.
Ariel Helwani via The MMA Hour Show
Ariel Helwani discusses Islam Makhachev being the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, responding to Dana White’s statement that Jon Jones holds that title.
“Islam deserves a ton of credit and in my opinion is the number one P4P fighter in the world…Remember the P4P… pic.twitter.com/8jmSutmnu5
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) June 3, 2024
Helwani mentioned that White’s obsession with pushing Jones as the P4P ace is a way to create hype. ‘Bones’ is currently scheduled to fight Stipe Miocic in a legacy fight later this year at UFC 309. If the heavyweight champion manages to beat Miocic, it would be interesting to see how it will affect the pound-for-pound list.
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