The UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings allow fans and experts to compare and rank the best fighters in the world, regardless of weight class. These rankings consider a fighter's overall record, their level of competition, and the manner in which they have won and lost their fights.
With the recent victory of Islam Makhachev over Alexander Volkanovski and the upcoming bout between Jon Jones and Cyril Gane at UFC 285, the Pound-for-Pound Rankings are sure to be impacted in a big way.
Ironically enough though, the only change to the UFC Pound-for-Pound rankings this week was the introduction of Max Holloway to the number 15 ranking and raising Jon Jones to number 10 whilst dropping Jiri Prochazka down to 11. Alexander Volkanovski keeps his number 1 spot whilst Islam Makhachev stays at number 2.
The argument Islam fans have made this week is: if you beat the number 1 guy, you deserve to BE the number 1 guy. But is that actually correct?
In a normal ranking setup, beating the guy gets you their ranking. In Pound-for-Pound, things work differently due to the hypothetical nature of the rankings. Compare Volkanovski to our current heaviest champion in the UFC: Jamahal Hill.
Obviously a fight between those two would never happen due to the 60 pound weight difference of their respective divisions. However, Volkanovski is sitting in position number 1 whereas Jamahal Hill sits at number 14.
Speaking of light heavyweights, Jon Jones is set to headline the next UFC PPV. If he beats Cyril Gane to capture the UFC heavyweight championship, he’d embody what it means to be Pound-for-Pound number 1. Don’t be shocked to see him swoop in and take it off both Volkanovski and Makhachev.
Jon Jones could be in a similar situation to Islam Makhachev where he’ll need to win in a dominant fashion in order to clinch the number 1 spot. However, many Jones fans will argue he will deserve it either way, even with a close 48-47.
I understand Islam fans’ frustrations and I truly believe he would be Pound-for-Pound number 1, if he had beaten Volkanovski in a more dominant fashion. But Makhachev is a big 155er and I definitely see him taking on the best at Welterweight where he’ll get another shot at Pound-for-Pound number 1.
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