'I saved this card': Islam Makhachev hits back at Dana White for ranking Jon Jones above him in UFC

Islam Makhachev responds to Dana White's Jon Jones comments after securing a fifth-round submission victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, marking his third successful title defense. Following the event, White rejected Makhachev's claim as the pound-for-pound number 1, asserting that as long as Jones is active, he holds that title. Makhachev has since addressed White's remarks.

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Dana White ranks Jon Jones above everyone in UFC

Dana White made a bold statement after UFC 302. Despite Islam Makhachev being ranked as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, White disagreed. The UFC CEO asserted that the title belongs to Jon Jones.

He said at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference: “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.”

White added: “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 long as Jon Jones is still fighting, active, and in the rankings, nobody is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

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Makhachev disagrees with the UFC boss

When asked about White’s opinion, Makhachev asserted that he saved the UFC 302 card. He suggested that the other fights were boring and implied that his battle with Dustin Poirier rescued the event.

He said: “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.”