Blessed with the sublime wrestle-heavy game, ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ Islam Makhachev is the current 155-pound kingpin. His all-around dominance and skills also see him maintaining the UFC pound-for-pound top spot. A spot some fans (substitute for CEO Dana White) naturally feel should go to Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ would be the greatest to do it, if not for his prolonged absence. UFC competition veteran, Chael Sonnen has a plan to decide the top fighter.
The debate is raging within the MMA community, with many favoring the Russian’s recent form. Whereas, Jon Jones has the agency of unparalleled resume and support from management. White has fought with media personalities claiming he is absolutely the No. 1 pound-for-pound G.O.A.T. UFC brass even dropped a legacy montage promo, making their stance clear. Chael Sonnen has the perfect test in mind to decide the winner.
Islam and Jones, who should be number one? Jones has one loss that people love to dismiss because of the way the loss came, as though it doesn’t count…Islam has a loss. There was no hook or crook behind that— It was very unlikely to happen again…Here’s how I believe this should be looked at — if you have a son, to give your son the skills of one guy, who’s the guy you give to your son…would you rather your son have the skills of Jones or Makhachev?
Chael Sonnen via his Official YouTube channel (@ChaelSonnenOfficial)
Jones’ only “loss” came as a 2009 DQ to Matt Hamill for the usage of several “12-6 elbows” on the downed rival. However, an ABC rules committee has unanimously lifted the ban. Team Jackson’s MMA Acoma heavyweight is a clear all-around skill-to-skill G.O.A.T. His ground-game sprawls and spinning back elbows are just as equally potent. However, Islam Makhachev isn’t far behind. Not that a comparison could materialize at different weight classes.
That’s mythical; I realize that. But knowing who could win if they all weigh the same, when they’re separated by eighty pounds, is also mythical…
Chael Sonnen further quipped
Despite being infamous for his savvy grapple, Makhachev outboxed consensus boxer Dustin Poirier, until ending it with a submission in the final round. He also submitted the submission grappling legend Charles Oliveira, and head-kick KOed the kickboxer Alexander Volkanovski. Some argue that Islam Makhachev treads further as an “active” fighter. So, the pound-for-pound debate gets kind of moot… But honestly, so is the pound-for-pound debate overall.
Jon Jones’ biggest threat trashed pound-for-pound ranking system
That would be interim HW champion Tom Aspinall. The Brit heavyweight has longed for unification for a while, but to no avail. Aspinall already considers himself above absentee fighter Jon Jones, and the best heavyweight in the world. However, the Team Kaobon striker refuses to engage in P4P debates.
Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev not similar enough to compensate for any offset factor (Source: heavy.com/express.co.uk)That is because it makes no numerical sense in logistical grading. With how unified MMA rules favor flashy finishes over skill-to-skill technical display, the pound-for-pound spot keeps changing. That too with different weight classes grouped. It’s like Chael Sonnen quipped – if one thinks modeling a son after top fighters is a mythical novelty, then so are the pound-for-pound rankings.
Considering the long snub and that he is on a collision course with Jon Jones, Aspinall has plenty of room to diss his pound-for-pound ranking. Even consider Islam Makhachev a step above legends of the past. However, he has a more logical take.
What is this pound-for-pound bullsh*t? …It’s a load of rubbish. It just doesn’t even make sense. Don’t get me started on that sh*t…So how can you compare Demetrious Johnson’s style to Brock Lesnar’s style and say if they’re the same? …I’ve got a bulldog, right? It’s like saying if my bulldog had a really long neck, who would win… a giraffe or the bulldog?
Tom Aspinall during UFC 304 Media Day conference interviews
To some, pound-for-pound is simply the best fighter in the world, regardless of weight class. Others argue that the top pound-for-pound fighters should be those who have achieved the most across multiple divisions. But given the different attributes in fighting styles and divisions, there’s no sensical comparison or differences between #1 and #2 P4P.
