Islam Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently made a remarkable claim regarding Jon Jones’s position in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Both Makhachev and Jones are recognized as two of the finest fighters in MMA today, particularly when considering all-time greatness. Makhachev is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 311, where he has the chance to further solidify his status as the UFC’s pound-for-pound champion.
Jones, who dominated former UFC heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, is often regarded as a frontrunner in the conversation for the UFC’s greatest fighter of all time. However, his infrequent appearances since 2020 complicate his claim to the title of current pound-for-pound champion.
Since claiming the UFC lightweight title at UFC 280, Makhachev has fended off challengers with relative ease, aside from a memorable ‘Fight of the Year’ matchup against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. His latest victory over Dustin Poirier showcased his resilience, as he secured a late-round finish following Poirier’s aggressive early assaults.
UFC CEO Dana White has consistently endorsed Jones as the rightful No. 1 fighter in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. However, Makhachev and his camp have a differing viewpoint. As UFC 311 approaches, Abdelaziz has intensified the debate.
In a recent conversation with Kevin Iole, Abdelaziz reacted to White’s assertions regarding the pound-for-pound rankings. He stated, “Dana’s right about a lot of things, but Dana’s wrong,” addressing the ongoing discussion about Makhachev’s standing in relation to Jones. He added that with Jones being less active, it becomes imperative for White to highlight his achievements to maintain interest.
Abdelaziz further commented, “He uses Islam Makhachev to promote Jon Jones. Islam doesn’t need Jon Jones to be promoted… he only cares about beating people’s a**es, and that’s it.” He criticized Jones’s recent opponents, labeling them as “one-dimensional fighters” and stated he did not believe Jones should be in the top five of the rankings.
As of now, Jones has not responded to Abdelaziz’s remarks. He is currently engaged in negotiations to make a return to the Octagon later this year, likely facing interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
Meanwhile, Makhachev is gearing up for a critical showdown against Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event in Los Angeles. He aims to make a significant statement as he headlines the UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2025.
Since moving up to heavyweight, Jones has maintained an impressive trajectory, having defeated Ciryl Gane for the vacant title and subsequently defending it against Miocic at UFC 309. Additionally, his pursuit to overturn a prior disqualification loss to Matt Hamill due to recent amendments in MMA’s unified rules adds further intrigue to his legacy.
Currently, Makhachev, Jones, and UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira are all vying for top positions in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. The speculation surrounding their standings will undoubtedly continue as 2025 approaches.
