February 15, 2025
Sorry, Jon Jones: Dana White declares Islam Makhachev the pound-for-pound No. 1 contender after UFC 311
MMA

Sorry, Jon Jones: Dana White declares Islam Makhachev the pound-for-pound No. 1 contender after UFC 311

January 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) reacts after defeating Renato Moicano (blue gloves) in a lightweight title bout during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory attribution: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

January 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) reacts after defeating Renato Moicano (blue gloves) in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory attribution: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Move over, Jon Jones: There’s a new UFC pound-for-pound No. 1 in Dana White’s book.

While lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has officially been considered the promotion’s pound-for-pound best for some time, White has been a vocal advocate for Jones over the past year. But that changed Saturday night after Makhachev nominated replacement Renato Moicano in the first round of the UFC 311 main event at the Intuit Dome.

“Yeah, I’ll give it to him,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during the UFC 311 post-event press conference. “Are you happy? Is everyone happy now?”

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) further solidified himself as the best fighter in the world with his fifth consecutive title defense, surpassing Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson and BJ Penn. Moicano’s finish also marked his 15th consecutive victory, a mark that is the second-most in UFC history behind Anderson Silva’s 16.

With these new accolades on his resume, White even called Makhachev the greatest lightweight of all time.

“One hundred percent, there’s no doubt about it,” White said. “He’s the pound-for-pound best in the world, and he’s definitely the best to ever do it in this division.”

Makhachev was originally scheduled to face Arman Tsaurkyan in a rematch, but Tsarukyan withdrew at Friday’s weigh-in with a back injury. The fact that Makhachev didn’t back down after the last-minute switch to Moicano may have ensured he was over the top in White’s eyes.

“Islam was willing to fight anyone,” White said. “He stayed active and gave the performance tonight that a guy should have in a short-notice fight when you’re the best in the world and the champion.”

More UFC!

UFC 311 Promotional Guidelines Compliance Compensation: Renato Moicano earns money on the promotion card

UFC 311 Bonuses: Newly shaved Jiri Prochazka gets an extra $50,000 for late finish

UFC 311 social media reactions: Islam Makhachev’s title defense over Renato Moicano

UFC 311 results: Islam Makhachev is in a class of his own after sending Renato Moicano to the defending champion

UFC 311 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC 311 event hub.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sorry, Jon Jones: Dana White declares Islam Makhachev pound-for-pound No. 1 contender after UFC 311

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