Islam Makhachev is still stuck at No. 2 in the official Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) pound-for-pound rankings.
The battle of pound-for-pound greats was run back at UFC 294 this past weekend (Oct. 21, 2023). Heading into their short-notice clash, Lightweight champion, Makhachev, and Featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski, were ranked at No. 2 and 3, respectively on the list. The order was the same before and after their UFC 284 clash in February 2023, only to shift upon Jon Jones’ return at Heavyweight in March 2023.
Makhachev’s first round head kick and punches technical knockout of Volkanovski (watch highlights) was enough to put him above “The Great” this time as opposed to his initial unanimous decision win (watch highlights). However, the Heavyweight champion, Jones, still reigns supreme as the top dog.
“I have already said at the press conference… who makes these rankings, what do they do it for? I have no clue,” Makhachev told Ushatayka (transcription h/t Red Corner MMA). “I beat the pound-for-pound king before, they didn’t put me as No. 1. So now I am not surprised they did it this way again. Maybe that’s because he (Jones) is fighting soon so they want to promote his fight.
“I don’t understand what else I should do to get the No. 1 spot,” he concluded. “Other than beat the one who was No. 1.”
The win for Makhachev was his second successful title defense as UFC Lightweight champion and a third would tie the division’s record alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, B.J. Penn, and Frankie Edgar. Jones, as alluded to by Makhachev, will seek his first title defense as the Heavyweight titlist when he takes on Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden next month (Sat., Nov. 11, 2023).
For complete UFC 294 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.