Islam Makhachev calls himself the number one pound-for-pound fighter in MMA.
Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion but is not atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Instead, that goes to UFC heavyweight and former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, which Makhachev doesn’t agree with and called the rankings bullsh*t.
“This is bullsh*t, brother,” Makhachev said on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel. “How Jon Jones can be No. 1? He beat some guy who is not champion. This guy (Gane) don’t have belt, and they put him No. 1 pound-for-pound. This is bullsh*t. … Doesn’t matter how he beat him. The UFC put him best pound-for-pound. But other people who know about MMA, they know who is the best fighter in the world. Don’t call me lightweight champion. Call me pound-for-pound best fighter.”
After Makhachev’s comments, MMA fans blasted the lightweight champ as many fans believe Jones is the rightful pound-for-pound best.
Fans take aim at Islam Makhachev
Wish he retires early like Khabib they are so boring I'd rather watch milk turn
— ChampCha (@ChampChaz02) June 15, 2023
“Wish he retires early like Khabib they are so boring I’d rather watch milk turn,” one fan wrote.
Dude almost got beat by a guy in the weight class under his. He needs to chill.
— ShooterMcKevin (@ShooterMcKevin1) June 15, 2023
“Dude almost got beat by a guy in the weight class under his. He needs to chill,” another fan wrote about Makhachev.
Volk came up from 145, gave Islam easily his toughest fight. Was able to make it controversial.
Jon went up in weight and made a former champ look like a 2 bit chump.
It’s not just about getting the dub, but how you get it. Had Islam beat Volk in the same manor as Olivera,…
— Boxing N Bourbon 🥊🥃 (@BoxingNBourbon) June 15, 2023
“Volk came up from 145, gave Islam easily his toughest fight. Was able to make it controversial. Jon went up in weight and made a former champ look like a 2 bit chump. It’s not just about getting the dub, but how you get it. Had Islam beat Volk in the same manor as Olivera, there would be no controversy. It ain’t that complex,” one fan wrote.
Man with 1 title fight win questions the legacy of a man with over 10
— k-doc-mma (@kdocmma) June 15, 2023
“Man with 1 title fight win questions the legacy of a man with over 10,” a fan pointed out.
Although Islam Makhachev is disappointed that he isn’t the number one pound-for-pound fighter, ultimately, the rankings are subjective and don’t really matter. But, if Makhachev does string together multiple title defenses, and moves up in weight to win another title, that would likely cement himself atop the pound-for-pound ranks.
