Tag: UFC 302

UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones, not Islam Makhachev, is the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world

UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones, not Islam Makhachev, is the No. 1 P4P fighter in the worldAs long as Jon Jones is around, Islam Makhachev will never be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the…

UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones, not Islam Makhachev, is the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world

As long as Jon Jones is around, Islam Makhachev will never be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

That’s according to Dana White, who made his feelings about Makhachev’s spot at the top of the P4P rankings abundantly clear, even after the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ dispatched one of the greatest lightweights of all time at UFC 302 on Saturday night.

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“I think he’s one of the greats of all time,” White said when asked about Makhachev’s spot at the top of the P4P rankings during the post-fight press event. “I think he’s incredible. I don’t think he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. For anybody to call Islam Makhachev the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world with Jon Jones is still f*cking fighting is nuts. Shouldn’t be ranking in the pound for pound or doing any rankings ever.

“Jon Jones has never lost a fight ever and he’s fought all the baddest dudes in the world. And then when you think about what pound-for-pound rankings really mean, he moved up to heavyweight and destroyed the best guy in the world. As long as Jones is still fighting, active, and in the rankings, nobody [else] is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

“When you think about what pound-for-pound really means… [Makhachev] fought Volkanovksi who’s a weight class lower than him,” White continued. “Jon Jones beat everybody at light heavyweight and then beat the best heavyweight in the division like it was nothing. Jon Jones with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and probably the greatest fighter of all time in any sport.”

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Maybe White will change his mind if Makhachev moves up and scores himself a second strap.

Is Dana White Right about Jon Jones?

It’s hard to argue with White’s statement, even if your feelings on Jones are clouded by his many unsavory antics outside of the Octagon.

Though ‘Bones’ is regularly touted as being undefeated, he does carry a single loss on his record which came as the result of an absolutely ridiculous disqualification in 2009. Makhachev’s one loss, on the other hand, was the result of a nasty first-round knockout against Adriano Martins — a fighter who exited the promotion a year later.

Islam Makhachev

Jones also spent the majority of his career defending his light heavyweight title against every legend and top-ranked contender the promotion threw at him. Meanwhile, Makhachev just now put his gold on the line against a legit lightweight after back-to-back bouts against former 145-pound champ Alexander Volkanovski.

Do you agree with Dana White’s assessment of the pound-for-pound rankings, or do you believe Islam Makhachev is right where he belongs at the top of the list?

UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones, not Islam Makhachev, is the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world

UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones, not Islam Makhachev, is the No. 1 P4P fighter in the worldAs long as Jon Jones is around, Islam Makhachev will never be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the…

UFC CEO Dana White insists Jon Jones, not Islam Makhachev, is the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world

As long as Jon Jones is around, Islam Makhachev will never be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

That’s according to Dana White, who made his feelings about Makhachev’s spot at the top of the P4P rankings abundantly clear, even after the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ dispatched one of the greatest lightweights of all time at UFC 302 on Saturday night.

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“I think he’s one of the greats of all time,” White said when asked about Makhachev’s spot at the top of the P4P rankings during the post-fight press event. “I think he’s incredible. I don’t think he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. For anybody to call Islam Makhachev the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world with Jon Jones is still f*cking fighting is nuts. Shouldn’t be ranking in the pound for pound or doing any rankings ever.

“Jon Jones has never lost a fight ever and he’s fought all the baddest dudes in the world. And then when you think about what pound-for-pound rankings really mean, he moved up to heavyweight and destroyed the best guy in the world. As long as Jones is still fighting, active, and in the rankings, nobody [else] is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

“When you think about what pound-for-pound really means… [Makhachev] fought Volkanovksi who’s a weight class lower than him,” White continued. “Jon Jones beat everybody at light heavyweight and then beat the best heavyweight in the division like it was nothing. Jon Jones with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and probably the greatest fighter of all time in any sport.”

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Maybe White will change his mind if Makhachev moves up and scores himself a second strap.

Is Dana White Right about Jon Jones?

It’s hard to argue with White’s statement, even if your feelings on Jones are clouded by his many unsavory antics outside of the Octagon.

Though ‘Bones’ is regularly touted as being undefeated, he does carry a single loss on his record which came as the result of an absolutely ridiculous disqualification in 2009. Makhachev’s one loss, on the other hand, was the result of a nasty first-round knockout against Adriano Martins — a fighter who exited the promotion a year later.

Islam Makhachev

Jones also spent the majority of his career defending his light heavyweight title against every legend and top-ranked contender the promotion threw at him. Meanwhile, Makhachev just now put his gold on the line against a legit lightweight after back-to-back bouts against former 145-pound champ Alexander Volkanovski.

Do you agree with Dana White’s assessment of the pound-for-pound rankings, or do you believe Islam Makhachev is right where he belongs at the top of the list?

Conor McGregor reacts to Islam Makhachev’s fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302

Conor McGregor reacts to Islam Makhachev's fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302Unsurprisingly, Conor McGregor took to social media immediately following Saturday’s main event clash between lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and…

Conor McGregor reacts to Islam Makhachev's fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302

Unsurprisingly, Conor McGregor took to social media immediately following Saturday’s main event clash between lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier.

The Diamond’ nearly took Makhachev the distance in their UFC 302 headliner, but in the end, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ was able to secure a submission victory in the fifth and final round to retain his title. The victory likely set the stage for Makhachev to go for a second strap.

Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier

Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier’s future was left up in the air. Speaking with Joe Rogan, Poirier suggested that his latest title fight could very well be the final fight of his career, though he did leave the door cracked open in case something exciting comes along.

Perhaps that something could be a fourth meeting with the Irish megastar.

“I’ll get back to ya’s tomorrow,” McGregor wrote on X.

Conor McGregor

Could we still see Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 4?

It’s not exactly clear if the Irishman is referring to Makhachev or Poirier, but a majority of fight fans in the comments believe McGregor is referring to another meeting with ‘The Diamond.’

‘The Notorious’ first went toe-to-toe with Poirier at UFC 178 nearly a decade ago. McGregor scored a first-round knockout over the Lafayette, Louisiana native smack dab in the middle of a run that would ultimately lead to his history-making matchup with Jose Aldo a year later. McGregor and Poirier wouldn’t run it back until 2021 when Poirier evened the series via a highlight-reel-worthy KO in the second round.

Conor McGregor

Poirier essentially won the trilogy six months later at UFC 264 when McGregor broke his leg in the opening round. Of course, ‘Mystic Mac’ is not content to leave things as they are.

Perhaps McGregor vs. Poirier 4 will come to fruition, depending on how things shake out when the former two-division champ returns to the Octagon on June 29 for a long-awaited showdown with former Bellator MMA champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler at UFC 303.

Conor McGregor

Islam Makhachev eyes two-division glory after submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: ‘It’s my dream’

But if Muhammad wins, that's an entirely different story.After successfully defending his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev is ready for a new challenge and a…

But if Muhammad wins, that's an entirely different story.

After successfully defending his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev is ready for a new challenge and a new belt.

Though ‘The Diamond’ gave him a pretty good run for his money, Makhachev added another impressive finish to his resume, submitting Poirier in the fifth round of their UFC 302 title tilt.

Islam Makhachev

Immediately following the fight, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ spoke with Joe Rogan and made it quite clear what he wants next.

“It’s my dream. I want to fight for a second belt,” Makhachev said. “I want to feel that energy again because when you defend your belt, it’s not the same. I need a new one.”

Islam Makhachev will have to wait for leon edwards to settle some business with belal muhammad

Even before he stepped foot inside the Octagon on Saturday night, Islam Makhachev had spoken at length about his desire to challenge reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards. The two titleholders were even approached about squaring off at UFC 300 when the promotion was still looking for a suitable headliner for their landmark event. Makhachev ultimately declined as accepting the bout would force him to train during Ramadan.

Islam Makhachev

On July 27, Edwards will put his 170-pound strap on the line against the division’s top-ranked contender, Belal Muhammad. If ‘Rocky’ successfully defends his gold for the third time, a meeting with Makhachev could very well be in his future.

Edwards vs. Belal

But if Muhammad wins, that’s an entirely different story.

Islam Makhachev

Dustin Poirier addresses his fighting future after coming up short at UFC 302: ‘I think this could be it’

Dustin Poirier addresses his fighting future after coming up short at UFC 302: 'I think this could be it'If Dustin Poirier truly is done, UFC 302 was a hell of a way to go out. Stepping into…

Dustin Poirier addresses his fighting future after coming up short at UFC 302: 'I think this could be it'

If Dustin Poirier truly is done, UFC 302 was a hell of a way to go out.

Stepping into the main event spotlight for a third and final shot at lightweight gold, ‘The Diamond’ fought his heart out for four-and-a-half rounds, stuffing takedowns and bloodying Islam Makhachev in an entertaining back-and-forth brawl that ultimately saw the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ secure a late submission victory to retain his 155-pound crown.

Immediately following the fight, Dustin Poirier addressed his fighting future, letting everyone know that “this could be it.”

“I know I can compete with the best of these guys, but if I do fight again, what am I fight for? Just to fight? I’ve done that 50 times. I don’t know. I’ve got a little girl I love. I’ve got to see. I think this could be it, honestly,” Poirier said.

“I’m not 100% sure, but if this is my last fight, I want to dedicate this journey to the people who have made me the man I am, and that’s the women in my life. To my grandmother, I miss you every day and I know I’m still protected by your prayers. To my mother, we’ve had a crazy life. I love you, thanks for always having my back. And to my wife, I love you so much. I wouldn’t be standing right here without you. I don’t know if I’d be breathing, honestly, if it wasn’t for you.

“And to Parker, daddy’s fine. I love you so much. I’m so proud of you. We’re alright, baby. Always chase your dreams. It’s a beautiful thing.”

There are plenty of fights left for dustin poirier

After coming up short in bouts for both the BMF belt and the lightweight title, it’s hard to say what would be next for ‘The Diamond’ if he does stick around. There’s always the fourth fight with Conor McGregor, depending on how things play out when the Irishman performs in his return on June 29.

We could also see him make the move to 170 where a plethora of fresh matchups await. Fights against the likes of Michael ‘Venom’ Page, Ian Machado Garry, Sean Brady, and Colby Covington could help reinvigorate Poirier while giving him something else to fight for.

But if this truly is it for Poirier, Dana White better get that Hall of Fame class of 2025 ring ready because nobody deserves it more than ‘The Diamond.’

Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier

Islam Makhachev defends title, stops Dustin Poirier with late D’Arce choke in gruelling fight – UFC 302 Highlights

Islam Makhachev defends title submits Dustin Poirier with D'Arce choke in gruelling fight UFC 302Islam Makhachev remains the undisputed lightweight champion tonight off the back of his UFC 302 return, latching onto a…

Islam Makhachev defends title submits Dustin Poirier with D'Arce choke in gruelling fight UFC 302

Islam Makhachev remains the undisputed lightweight champion tonight off the back of his UFC 302 return, latching onto a late fifth round D’Arce choke submission to stop former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s grudge championship tilt in New Jersey.

Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter in the organization, enjoyed an impressive opening round against Lafayette native, Poirier in their main event clash, taking down the latter and winning the opening frame.

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However, himself enjoying impressive success on the feet on occasion, Louisanan favorite, Poirier managed to scramble and even sweep Sambo specialist, Makhachev during their many exchanges.

And causing massive calls for concern for the Russian in the fourth frame, Poirier swept the defending champion, and opened a considerably cut on Makhachev’s forehead, with the pair seeing a fifth and final round.

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Electing to accept Poirier’s invitation to stand and trade briefly in the frame, Makhachev would then capitalize and take down the former interim gold holder, before snatching onto a well-time D’Arce choke — landing a submission win over Poirier who tapped, before eventually going unconscious.

Following his victory, Makhachev, who defended his crown for the third time, heaped praise on Poirier’s preparation — before echoing calls for a leap to the welterweight division in search of a second championship belt.

Islam UFC 302 title

After his performance against Makhachev, Poirier claimed the clash with the defending champion would likely come as the final bout of his storied mixed martial arts career, before thanking his family for their support.

Below, catch the highlights from Islam Makhachev’s title defense against Dustin Poirier