What is Wrong With the UFC Pound for Pound Rankings?
(via Telecom Asia)
The UFC pound for pound rankings are meant to determine the very best fighter in the sport regardless of weight class. This has to do with the number of wins they have, the caliber of opponents they have defeated, and how dominant they have looked in their bouts.
Historically, the pound for pound rankings have been subject to some controversy, but the current rankings are being criticized by the UFC president himself. Dana White. White stated in the UFC 302 post fight press conference that as long as Jon Jones is in the UFC, there is not a fighter that should be ranked ahead of him.
Here are the top five fighters in the pound for pound rankings, how they got there, and why they should be ranked higher or lower than they already are.
#1 Islam Makhachev
When it comes to the very best in the UFC right now, you can not leave out Makhachev. His 15 fight win streak, and dominance over his competition has been nothing short of special to watch. Despite the fact he has not been as dominant as his cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, he has shown an evolved style that has a greater level of striking. Islam is by no means a poor option for best pound for pound fighter in the world, but since there are other killers just below him in the rankings, three title defenses may very well not be enough to make his case waterproof.
#2 Jon Jones
Jon Jones is a fighter that needs zero introduction in the minds of UFC fans. With the lone defeat in his entire career coming at the hands of a controversial 12 to 6 elbow disqualification in his fight against Matt Hamill. The biggest contributing factor as to why he is not sitting atop the pound for pound rakings is that he only has one fight since March 2023. Had he stayed more active since then, it is likely that he would have retained his spot at the top of the rankings.
#3 Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards certainly deserves to be on the pound for pound rankings, but ranking him third is far too high based on his resume. He did upset one of the very best welterweight champions of all time in Kamaru Usman via last second head kick, and then beat him via decision in the rubber match. However, this win has not aged quite so well, since Usman is currently on a three fight loosing streak, and looks to be at the tail end of his career. His last win was against long time welterweight contender, Colby Covington. Covington has been atop the division for quite some time, but has put forth losing effort after losing effort in his three title fight opportunities. A very good resume, but the man below him without a doubt has done more than Edwards.
#4 Alex Pereira
Pereira is more than deserving of the #3 spot, and one could argue he deserves to be ranked second. Pereira has already cemented himself as a hall of fame candidate just eight fights into his UFC career. He captured the middleweight title in his bout against longtime rival from kickboxing, Israel Adesanya, and was then able to capture the vacant light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochaska. He most recently defeated Jamahal Hill for his first title defense. All three of these fighters held undisputed gold in their careers and all three were finished by Pereira. This, coupled with the fact that he has been able to capture two titles gives him a case to be top two or three in the pound for pound rankings.
#5 Ilia Topuria
Topuria is without a doubt one of if not the best in his division, but it is up for debate if he is top five material. Topuria does have a win over the former number one pound for pound fighter, Alexander Volkanovski, which was the first defeat that Volkanovski suffered at featherweight. He also holds a win over former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett. Both great wins, but Sean O’Malley at the fifth spot could also very well be a better option. At this point, we are splitting hairs, but this slot is certainly up for grabs of O’Malley is able to notch a big win.
