UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with his current pound-for-pound ranking. The Dagestani fighter currently occupies the No. 3 spot in the men's category, trailing behind featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Makhachev Criticizes Rankings
In a recent interview, Makhachev criticized the rankings system, taking particular aim at Jon Jones, who had previously declined a late replacement fight against Chael Sonnen. "This is what UFC champions have to do," Makhachev said at Wednesday’s UFC 294 media day. "If you’re a real champion, you have to take the fight, no matter how many days notice or who it’s going to be."
He went on to question the decision to rank Jones as the top fighter and expressed doubts about the quality of Jones' last five opponents. Describing the rankings as unreliable, Makhachev declared that he would no longer follow them.
Makhachev's Dissatisfaction
Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) is set to headline UFC 294 in a championship rematch against Volkanovski. Initially, Makhachev was scheduled to face Charles Oliveira. However, due to a nasty cut above his right eye, Oliveira had to withdraw from the match, and "The Great" Volkanovski was named as the replacement on short notice.
Last February at UFC 284, Makhachev triumphed over Volkanovski, who was ranked No. 1 at the time. Despite this victory, Makhachev found himself ranked at No. 3 a few months later, with Volkanovski and Jones ahead of him. This situation has fueled his displeasure with the ranking system. "Because last time I beat him already. The last fight, it was No. 2 vs. No. 1. If you beat No. 1, you have to be No. 1, but I don’t know who makes the rankings," Makhachev said.
Jones Responds to Criticism
Responding to Makhachev's remarks on Twitter, Jones wished him the best of luck and expressed his hope that the best man would win. He also acknowledged Makhachev's negative comments without responding in kind. "No need for me to respond with negativity. I have bigger fish to fry right now," Jones stated.
Jones is no stranger to criticism about the pound-for-pound rankings. In a previous interview, Makhachev questioned why Jones held the No. 1 ranking when he had only secured one victory in the last three years. Jones himself has openly criticized the current UFC ranking system before. In 2021, when he fell to No. 4 due to inactivity, he took a jab at middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya for his inability to defend takedowns.
"When you're ranked over Jon Jones on a pound-for-pound list but know you can't defend a takedown," Jones tweeted. "It’s funny seeing people have the satisfaction of being ranked over me when I’m not even competing. Just take me off that silly list."
In his next bout, Jones will defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. This match marks his inaugural defense of the heavyweight belt, which he secured after defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023.