Islam Makhachev wasn’t happy with Dana White after he claimed that Jon Jones was still his number one pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC.
After suffering a nasty-looking cut to his forehead in the latter stages of the title fight, Islam Makhachev emerged from UFC 302 victorious with his shiny gold belt still wrapped around his waist – and the Russian juggernaut certainly brought that championship mentality to the post-fight press conference.
Dana White says Islam Makhachev isn’t P4P best UFC fighter
Despite dominating much of the fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark and successfully defending his lightweight title for the third time, Dana White argued at the post-fight press conference that Islam Makhachev was not the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
“He’s one of the greatest of all time, I think he’s incredible, [but] I don’t think he’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” stated White, before adding that there’s only one man who deserves to sit atop the P4P rankings.
“For anybody to call Islam the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world when Jon Jones is still f***** fighting is nuts and shouldn’t be ranking in the pound-for-pound or doing any of the f**** rankings ever.
“Jon Jones has never lost a fight ever, he’s fought all the baddest dudes in the world and then when you think about what the pound-for-pound rankings really mean, he moved up to heavyweight and destroyed one of the best guys in the world.”
As Dana White put it, “As long as Jon Jones is still fighting, active, and in the rankings; nobody is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”
As fans who have followed Makhachev’s recent career will know, a big motivator for the Russian juggernaut is being top of the pound-for-pound rankings; and the comments from White certainly didn’t sit well with the champion.
Speaking at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference, Makhachev said that White should be thanking him for saving the card and the fans from falling asleep in the Prudential Center after a string of decisions.
“I don’t know, maybe it’s just his opinion but I think I saved this card today because all of these fights [were] boring; all of the arena almost [went to] sleep.
“We showed with Dustin a great performance, Dana gave me two bonuses – I remember when I have first contract, I was happy when I have bonus but now it’s okay.”
Jones himself also responded on social media by stating that “It felt awesome to get that level of recognition from the boss,” and in a now-deleted tweet, Jones also criticized Makhachev for his performance at UFC 302.
“So let me get this straight, you go through an absolute dogs*** fight and pull off a last-minute submission? And that’s what makes you the best? I guess getting injured means you suddenly lost all that skill? Just curious.”
Makhachev earned an extra $100,000 for his victory over Dustin Poirier, via the Performance of the Night, and Fight of the Night bonuses.
Islam Makhachev didn’t seem convinced of Tsarukyan being next
When asked whether his next defense of the UFC lightweight title will be the long-awaited rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, the 155lb champion didn’t seem entirely convinced in the matchup.
“I’m ready man, Dana has my number – just call me,” he stated, before adding “It [does] not make sense when you have rematch, I need some new challenge. But if Dana [White] wants let’s do it, no problem.”
That ‘new challenge’ is likely in regard to Makhachev’s desire to eventually move up a division to welterweight and challenge for a second undisputed UFC title.
In response to being questioned on champ-champ status, the wrestling machine simply stated, “Yeah of course, who doesn’t want to be a double champion?
“This is history, this is a dream for all fighters to get second belt, this is my dream and I want to be in the history and for people to know me as a double champion.”
Makhachev might have also inadvertently admitted that Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t have a great UFC legacy as he argued, “If you want a great legacy, you have to get a second belt in my opinion.”