“I’ll give it to him. Are you happy? Is everybody happy now?… I just admitted I’m giving it to [Makhachev], he’s the pound-for-pound.” With that fiery statement at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference, Dana White made a stunning U-turn. For years, the UFC CEO had consistently backed heavyweight great Jon Jones as the undisputed pound-for-pound king. The head honcho had essentially dismissed Islam Makhachev’s rise to the top, favoring Jones’ legacy and dominance. But this time, White relented!
What led to the shift? According to White, it’s not just about talent—it’s about willingness and activity. Makhachev’s “willingness to fight anybody” and his consistency inside the Octagon ultimately convinced him to reconsider his stance. Still, the decision hasn’t silenced all doubters. Many fans and analysts continue to argue that Jones, with his unmatched resume and longevity, deserves the number one pound-for-pound spot. But the official UFC rankings say otherwise. Islam Makhachev now holds the top position, with ‘Bones’ sitting at number two. Though the pound-for-pound conversation seemed settled, the debate reignited during episode #166 of the JRE MMA Show.
In the episode, Joe Rogan welcomed former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, and the two dove into a wide array of MMA topics. Naturally, the conversation found its way to Jones. “You know, it’s like the sport — that’s what’s crazy about Jon, right? Jon’s been dominant now for, like, what? 15, 16 years?” said the podcaster. The duo didn’t hesitate to agree, branding Jones the “GOAT.”
“I don’t know how they don’t put him as the number one pound-for-pound. He’s the number one pound-for-pound,” Topuria insisted. But Joe Rogan offered a counterpoint, spotlighting the main criticism against ‘Bones’ in the current landscape—his inactivity. “You know, it’s just because he doesn’t fight as often as Islam. You know, Islam has defended his title more recently, more often, against top-flight competition. Whereas Jon, you know, Jon takes a year off here, a year off there.”
Madison Square Garden NEW YORK CITY, NY -NOVEMBER 16: Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic meet in the octagon for a 3-round bout for UFC309 – Jones vs Miocic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, NY Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx spp-en-LoGr-lrg2411164283824_UFCVegas309
Although Rogan didn’t back the New Mexican as the current pound-for-pound number one, he made one thing clear: Jon Jones is, in his eyes, “the greatest of all time.“And frankly, it’s hard to argue with that. ‘Bones’ and his legacy are built on achievements few can even dream of. He became the youngest UFC champion at just 23, and no one has racked up wins against as many former champs in succession. His reign over the light heavyweight division is legendary—he owns the records for most wins, most title defenses, and the longest win streak at 205 pounds.
Still, his journey hasn’t been spotless. Jones’ career has seen dramatic highs and crushing lows, including three separate title-stripping incidents. But somehow, every time, he found a way to climb back into the spotlight—never fully fading, never fully gone. Since stepping up to heavyweight and debuting as a 265-pounder at UFC 285, though, his case for the pound-for-pound crown has taken a hit. Jones has fought just once in over two years, and his inactivity has left the door wide open for Makhachev, who’s been steadily winning against elite competition like Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Charles Oliveira.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited clash with interim champ Tom Aspinall continues to hang in limbo. The Englishman has held the interim title for over 500 days, yet the promised title unification bout continues to hover on the horizon—always teased, never realized. The delay has led to growing frustration among fans, with some even accusing Jones of “ducking” the surging Brit. But is that a fair assessment? To get a clearer perspective, let’s hear what Joe Rogan has to say.
Joe Rogan highlights Jon Jones’ mindset for the Tom Aspinall fight
Jon Jones’ career is one of unmatched achievement, having defeated opponents across different generations, and he remains active in the sport, which sets him apart from other MMA legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov, who conquered and left. ‘Bones’, on the other hand, chose to stay, never shying away from a challenge, earning him the status of a true legend. At 37, soon to be 38, the New Mexican continues to be a dominant force in MMA.
Fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating his next fight—a long-awaited showdown with Tom Aspinall. Many have accused ‘Bones’ of “ducking” Aspinall, even suggesting that he should either fight or relinquish the belt. However, Joe Rogan believes that Jones is not the type to take the easy road, retire, or avoid a fight. It’s been more than five months since Jon Jones last entered the Octagon, and the fight with Aspinall remains unresolved.
However, Rogan is confident it will happen. During his conversation with Ilia Topuria on his JRE podcast, Rogan stated, “Yes. I think he’ll fight Tom. I think he’ll hang out… for glory. One more glory before the lights fade. Jon’s a conqueror. I think he can’t sit back. The guy developed a spinning back kick at 36! He didn’t have a spinning back kick his whole career, then all of a sudden, knocks out Stipe with a spinning back kick for the heavyweight title at 36, 37 years old—that’s crazy. Jon’s fight IQ is insane, and he did a lot of his career partying, which is even crazier.”
What do you think of Rogan’s perspective? Is Jon Jones’ inactivity the main factor behind him falling behind Islam Makhachev in the pound-for-pound rankings? Share your thoughts below.
The post Jon Jones’ P4P Ranking Gets Openly Rejected by Joe Rogan as Case Made for Islam Makhachev appeared first on EssentiallySports.