Islam Makhachev‘s dominant win at UFC 311 earned him recognition from Dana White as the top pound-for-pound fighter, surpassing Jon Jones, due to his active fighting schedule and willingness to take on any opponent.
Islam Makhachev retained his lightweight title with a dominant performance over Renato Moicano in the UFC 311 main event. But it wasn’t just the title he earned that night; Dana White’s admiration grew even more.
Despite Makhachev’s unreal 14-fight win streak before Saturday, White often touted Jon Jones as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Why? Jones’ longevity as champion, boasting 16 UFC title fight wins and an unblemished record since 2008. Well, except for a “loss” via disqualification in a fight he was dominating.
Sure, those feats might cement Jones as the greatest of all time. Yet, he’s only fought twice in four years while Makhachev racked up eight wins, including four title fights. And then capped it off with another championship victory on Saturday. That was finally enough for White to concede that Makhachev deserves the top spot over Jones.
“He’s already the pound-for-pound No. 1 ranking. Yeah, I’ll give it to him,” White said at the post-fight presser. “Is everybody happy now?”
Islam took on anyone willing to fight him. He stayed active and performed like a champ should on a short-notice fight when you’re the best in the world.
Before UFC 311, Makhachev was already No. 1 in MMA Fighting’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings. But White had argued passionately for months about putting Jones on top. Watching Makhachev perform Saturday changed his mind.
“Don’t be dicks,” White joked about backing Jones for so long. “I just admitted I’m giving it to him.”
White praised Makhachev’s readiness to fight Moicano without hesitation after Arman Tsarukyan dropped out due to injury.
That’s what sets Makhachev apart from other fighters who want his spot—he talks the talk and walks the walk.
“For the champ, I told you, I said it publicly,” White revealed. “‘Brother, I am the champion… whoever I’m fighting tomorrow, I don’t care.’”
In addition to declaring Makhachev as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter globally, White added another compliment: this performance not only cemented him in those rankings but separated him from every other lightweight ever.
“One hundred percent, no doubt about it,” White affirmed about Makhachev. “He’s definitely the best to ever do it in that division.”