Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier to attain a third lightweight title defense. With perennial heavyweight and longtime G.O.A.T Jon Jones absent, the Dagestani fighter supplanted him in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings last year. However, head honcho Dana White disagrees and ‘Bones’ finds this opportunity to gloat on the matter.
White made it clear to MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs that he held Makhachev in high regard. However, during the UFC 302 post-fight conference, he also told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn he didn’t consider him No. 1 pound-for-pound ahead of Jon Jones. The 265-pound “absent” fan-favorite doubles down on the notion.
It felt awesome to get that level of recognition from the boss, the man that’s literally been here since UFC 1. I know the haters are not gonna like his comments but Dana’s a pretty hard person to argue with. @danawhite has had a front row seat to my entire career, facts are facts…
Jon Jones via X (@JonnyBones)
Islam Makhachev gave a feisty, all-around performance at the UFC 302 lightweight title bout. He stopped multiple expletive blows and hard punches. Moreover, he went forehead-to-forehead even after a slice above the eye. Concurrently, he powered through a stylistic single-leg takedown that led to the submission. Now, with his Round 5 Submission choke at the 2:42 mark, Makhachev proves why he is the reigning P4P.
It felt awesome to get that level of recognition from the boss, the man that’s literally been here since UFC 1. I know the haters are not gonna like his comments but Dana’s a pretty hard person to argue with. @danawhite has had a front row seat to my entire career, facts are…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 2, 2024
Jon Jones has fought once since February 2020. Yet he got the nod over the current active reigning lightweight king. The media antics from Team Jackson’s MMA Acoma fighter have also stalled the state of his division for far too long. While he and the Dagestani will never engage in a fight, the clash of intellects and barbs is set to be in full show.
If Dustin Poirier doesn’t retire, ex-featherweight champ demands ‘a little dance’ after UFC 302 fallout
Jon Jones has shown clear signs of being explicitly and aggressively dismissive of even nominal challenges to his G.O.A.T. status. Interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall did not get to unify the title. There’s just a pattern here of Jones avoiding the best contender in terms of favorable matchups. However, other legends of the sport maintain a more open-minded sportsmanship.
Dustin Poirier offered a legacy fight into the sunset after war with Islam Makhachev (Source: IMAGO/X)Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) lost out to Islam Makhachev after a valiant effort. The disheartened Layfette lightweight already hinted at clear thoughts of retirement afterward. It’s nothing new for Poirier, but if he stays in MMA a little longer, he’ll have no shortage of potential legacy opponents. Former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski is one.
Maybe, just maybe, depending on what I’m doing and when – obviously I want to fight later in the year when I know exactly what’s happening…,maybe me and Dustin could have a good fight. I know he just wants good, fun fights. You heard it here first…Dustin, you’re a legend…great performance, still. Maybe we could have a little fun in there – have a little dance.
Alexander Volkanovski via his Official YT channel
Alexander Volkanovski calls out Dustin Poirier 👀
“Maybe depending on what I’m doing, obviously I want to fight later in the year… if the timing works maybe me and Dustin can have a good fight.
I know he just wants good fun fights… I think that would be a massive fight so… pic.twitter.com/l7G5LzKga0
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 2, 2024
Volk lost the featherweight guard to Ilia Topuria in February at UFC 298. The Aussie fighter says he’d like to venture into this while waiting for the title shot. During the Fox Sports’ Mainevent Preview Show, he nudged the BMF strap to be of interest other than the undisputed gold. With old rival Max Holloway now holding it, he finds it explorable and obtainable.
The Aussie has cut for 155-pound limits before, challenging Islam Makhachev for two-division glory. Holloway, Poirier, and the BMF title mark a trifecta of opportunities that are very less taxing for him. His and Poirier’s clash can be a stylistic showcasing of sportsmanship like never before. At the moment, the fight remains unlikely. However, anything can happen in MMA.
