Las Vegas- The UFC head honcho KNOWS fighting.
Alex Pereira defended his Light Heavyweight title in vicious style last night (Sat., June 29, 2024) when he knocked out Jiri Prochazka with a head kick in the second round from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (watch highlights).
Last month, after Islam Makhachev defended his Lightweight championship, UFC CEO Dana White buried him by saying UFC Heavyweight Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound king, even though he hasn’t competed in over a year.
Well, after Pereira’s win, White was asked if Pereira was getting close to being the No. 1 pound-for-pound, and he doubled down about Jones.
“He’s another guy that has moved up [a weight class] and is willing to move up to heavyweight,” White told the media during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference. “So, for all those that don’t know what the pound for pound means, that’s what it means- guys like that. But still, as long as Jon Jones is still in the conversation, Jon Jones has never lost. He’s never lost a fight.”
A few minutes later, another reporter asked White why he is hesitant about Pereira moving up to heavyweight, which turned into White ranting about Jones being the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
“This is the problem with the conversation that we’re having here and why people aren’t giving Jon Jones the respect for pound-for-pound,” White said. “This f—king guy destroyed the best heavyweight in the division. Easily made it look like nothing. Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and the greatest fighter f—cking ever. Period. End of story.”
The reporter pushed back and said Jones hadn’t fought in a year, to which White exploded.
“He was trying to fight,” White said. “It’s not like he’s just f—king sitting around and doesn’t want to fight. The guy came to fight. It’s the first injury he’s ever had. And listen to me, I’m not defending Jon Jones. You know what I mean? Jon Jones has been one of my biggest f—king headaches the entire time that I’ve been in this company. And, you know, the guy hasn’t been the best model fighter in the company. No matter what you think of Jon Jones, he’s the f—king best ever, and I think he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.”
“He got hurt. If you were coming into a fight and you f—king got hurt, that means you’re not the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world anymore.? How does that even make sense? It doesn’t make sense. If he was sitting out and f—king getting arrested and running around or whatever, and you’re like, you know, well, Jon Jones is inactive. I’d say maybe you’re right. But as an educated adult who knows the fight business, you cannot deny that while Jon Jones is active, he is the greatest fighter in the world,” White concluded.
Dana White: Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and the greatest fighter fucking ever. Period. End of story.#UFC pic.twitter.com/HNfUtipEI0
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 30, 2024
Jones will defend his pound-for-pound ranking against Stipe Miocic later this year, most likely inside Madison Square Garden in November.
For complete UFC 303 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.