- Sean O’Malley crowned Islam Makhachev as the current MMA GOAT
- “Suga” doesn’t think Jon Jones is the GOAT because of his inactivity
Sean O’Malley holds a firm belief that Islam Makhachev is the rightful MMA GOAT and not Jon Jones.
Sean’s got his own fight coming up, but he’s still tipping his hat to Makhachev’s recent tear. He says sure, Jon Jones is a legend, but Makhachev’s the hot ticket right now.
Islam is the GOAT
Speaking to Helen Yee Sports, “Suga” was asked to pick who the current MMA GOAT is while he is still on his way to reaching GOAT status. According to O’Malley, the best fighter in all MMA right now is none other than reigning lightweight champion Makhachev.
“Greatest fighter right now? Probably Islam [Makhachev],” the bantamweight champion said.
Sean disagrees with Dana
When asked about his take on UFC president Dana White’s constant hailing of Jones as the clear-cut and unquestioned GOAT, O’Malley disagreed. For “Suga,” nobody could take away anything from what “Bones” has accomplished in the sport and he would always be in the conversation. However, Jones’ inactivity in recent times has certainly hurt his GOAT status.
“I mean, Jon Jones is up there. [But] You picture right now, you go back four or five years, and so. I think Jon’s fought once in the last 4-5 years. Jon Jones is up there for greatest of all time, but right now who’s the greatest… I think it’s Islam,” O’Malley explained.
As it stands, Makhachev is indeed, the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira sits at No. 2 while Jones has dropped to No. 3. O’Malley, meanwhile, is currently at No. 6.
O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on Sept. 14th at The Sphere.
Watch O’Malley’s full interview below:
