Jon Jones still UFC pound-for-pound king, not Islam Makhachev – Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping insists Jon Jones is still the best MMA fighter in the world, despite Islam Makhachev’s latest lightweight title defence.

Makhachev sits at the top of UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings, having enjoyed a sublime two years. He captured the 155-pound title with a win over Charles Oliveira and kept hold of it by twice beating Alexander Volkanovski.

It was a bout in which Makhachev showcased his supreme wrestling ability, putting enormous pressure on ‘Diamond’ from the off and getting himself into commanding positions on the ground.

But the 32-year-old also displayed his ability to trade. He stood up and looked capable of a knockout at times, landing clean blows in a gruelling showdown between two men who will go down as legends of the game.

He extended his unbeaten run in the UFC to nine years, while surpassing the 13-win streak of his mentor and coach, the iconic Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Despite Makhachev’s incredible performances and achievements, TNT Sports pundit Bisping does not place him above Jones in the pound-for-pound conversation.

To kick off a fiery debate, host Adam Catterall said of Jones on TNT Sports’ Fight Week: “He’s not pound-for-pound king today: that guy is from Dagestan.”

Bisping followed: “All flippancy and silliness aside, he [Jones] is still active, he is still fighting. Maybe not as regularly as we’d like – yes, we’d like to see him go up against Tom Aspinall – but he’s still fighting.

“When you look at the career, the record, he’s beaten champion after champion – generations of contenders. The fact he’s still here, as heavyweight champion, is even more impressive.

“Look at Daniel Cormier, a man with the wrestling ability of Islam Makhachev. He was able to beat him. Alexander Gustafsson is a big, lanky striker. He was able to beat him. He’s beaten every single style.

“Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Gustafsson, Cormier, Lyoto Machida, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Ryan Bader, the list goes on and on.”

Nick Peet responded: “You’re listing a body of work from a different generation. It’s a different time.

“Jon Jones might as well be retired. Jon Jones is the GOAT, for everything you’ve said, but he’s had one fight in four years and won it by the path of least resistance.

“The whole point of pound for pound is that it’s fluid: who is the best fighter in the world today, with the eye test, the quality of opponent, the activity, everything else.

“You cannot say Jon Jones deserves to be ranked above Islam after one fight in four years. Absolutely no chance.”

But the former UFC middleweight champion was not ready to concede: “March 2023 is not that long ago.

“It’s not his fault that Ciryl Gane was top of the tree at the time. [He hasn’t fought due to] politics, trying to get a better deal. He took a stand.

“I’m not disrespecting Islam, but his last two wins were over two featherweights. Did Jon Jones ever go, ‘give me a couple of middleweights?’ No, he didn’t.”

Jones has endured a rollercoaster last decade in and out of the Octagon, with his career impacted by arrests for a hit and run and domestic violence. He has also failed multiple drugs tests, causing three cancelled fights.

Those issues have been paired with injury problems – most notably nixing the heavyweight champ’s scheduled bout with former titleholder Stipe Miocic last November. Furthermore, as Bisping alluded to, Jones has been in a pay dispute with the UFC.

Though he believes the 36-year-old is still the promotion’s best fighter at present, Bisping does see Aspinall – the interim heavyweight champ – beating Jones if they were to meet.

Peet questioned who his fellow analyst can see dethroning Makhachev, to which he responded: “At 155, I think he’s got that boxed off.

“But if we’re playing pound for pound, he goes up to 170, I think he has his hands full with Leon Edwards.”

Makhachev has spoken of his desire to move up to the weltweight division, with that crown currently on the head of British-Jamaican star Edwards.

Peet concluded the argument: “In November, I will happily side with Mike, if Jones comes back and beats Stipe in sensational fashion. Until he gets active, Makhachev is the best fighter on the planet.”