Dana White is not happy with what is happening in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, especially with Jon Jones. The UFC’s rankings are generated by a voting panel made up of media members. White harshly criticized the rankings panel for not placing Jones at the top.
UFC CEO, Dana White recently sat down for an interview with Kevin Iole. During their discussion White expressed his frustration, calling the ranking of Jones “ridiculous” and “embarrassing.” White did not hold back, stating that those responsible “know nothing about fighting”.
Jon Jones is ranked No. 3 pound-for-pound in the world… It’s the most f****** ridiculous, embarrassing, st*pid, know nothing about f****** fighting ranking of all time… Jon Jones is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Period. End of story.
Dana White to Kevin Iole
White said that Islam Makhachev or Alex Pereira could be one of the top three contenders. But the UFC CEO believes that anybody having anyone above Jon Jones right now showed that they knew absolutely nothing about combat sports and fighting.
Dana White on the current UFC pound-for-pound rankings:
“Jon Jones is ranked #3 pound-for-pound in the world. That’s the most f***ing ridiculous, embarassing, stupid, know nothing about f***ing fighting ranking of all f***ing time.”
🎥 @KevinI #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/cGDjhPA9PT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 3, 2024
‘Bones’ previously dominated the UFC pound-for-pound rankings with the #1 spot on the list. However, last year Islam Makhachev dropped him down by one spot and took over the title of the number one pound-for-pound fighter. Now, light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has surpassed ‘Bones’ after making some big moves in 2024.
Changes in Dana White’s UFC pound-for-pound rankings post UFC 304
Belal Muhammad claimed the welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards in Manchester, at UFC 304. This shook up the men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Previously unranked, Muhammad is now No. 6, while Edwards fell to No. 7.
New featherweight champ, Ilia Topuria rose to No. 4, while reigning bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is now on the fifth spot. Alexander Volkanovski dropped to No. 8 after losing three of his last four fights. Meanwhile, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s win over Curtis Blaydes in Manchester bumped him up to the No. 9 spot.
BMF champion Max Holloway is now at No. 10, while middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is at No. 11. Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja fell to No. 12, Israel Adesanya dropped to No. 13, and Charles Oliveira to No. 15. The UFC pound-for-pound rankings is a controversial listing. While some appreciate ranking the best fighters in the roster regardless of weight class or style, others believe the system makes absolutely no sense.
!
