In the earliest days of his tenure with the UFC, league president Dana White mused that the only person who could beat Jon Jones was Jones himself. That was accurate. Aside from that time Steve Mazzagatti asked an utterly beaten deaf guy with his eyes closed if he was OK, Jon Jones has never lost. However, “Bones” has just been beaten for the worthless but never-the-less kinda cool #1 spot in the UFC Pound for Pound rankings.
The new #1 P4P fighter in the UFC, and the world, is Khabib Nurmagomedov:
- Khabib Nurmagomedov +1
- Jon Jones -1
- Israel Adesanya
- Stipe Miocic
- Kamaru Usman
- Alexander Volkanovski
- Dustin Poirier +1
- Max Holloway +1
- Petr Yan +1
- Justin Gaethje -3
- Conor McGregor
- Robert Whittaker
- Tony Ferguson
- Deiveson Figueiredo
- Francis Ngannou
Jones read the writing on the wall after Saturday’s UFC 254, and complained about it bitterly on his social network, arguing that his mine was blown that there is even a discussion about who the P4P champ is.
#UFC254 I’m going with Gaethje for this one. BY KO!
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
Damn, levels to this shit
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
Until I take that heavily crown, I grant you the spot. 🤙🏾 Enjoy Champ
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
15 world titles, numbers don’t lie.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
Definitely a powerful moment, but my logic is definitely not clouded.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
I’ve won 15 world titles, he just won his 4th. The fact that this is even a conversation is mine blowing to me. https://t.co/DiJQ4X5vjl
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
The same Company who accused me of possible steroids vindicated me from it. If I just started fighting for titles four fights ago, I look like an absolute beast too. But OK, I guess you’re only worth your last performance in this game🥴 https://t.co/cwhb7BZX1J
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
I got signed by the UFC literally nine months after my very first MMA practice. Unheard of
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
when I signed with Ufc I was one of the youngest fighters on the roster, youngest champion in the history of the sport and have only had three competitive fights. https://t.co/kixnRfkQbR
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
I understand most people have never been number one in their community, state, let alone the world. My competitive nature won’t allow me to just stand by and see someone ask to be considered the best. I’ve sacrificed too much blood https://t.co/EmGRKpgmso
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
Bro when you’re black in America, so many things don’t add up. I’m just calling it how it is. Have to work four times harder https://t.co/3Xwb2FEXQT
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
When people hang onto the alligation and completely undermines the vindication.🤷🏾♂️ Just don’t want to give credit where it’s due. https://t.co/QPMo3c9GLE
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
Yet people want me to stay quiet and let him have his moment while I just sit back and watch my hard work get moved down the rankings. It’s not fair to my family, or the team of people who have sacrificed to get me this far https://t.co/0IeojszXvm
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
Over 50% of my career have been title fights. LeBron James is allowed to win a game by one point but not Jon Jones. Man I have really spoiled you guys https://t.co/vz4lGh0ESJ
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
If we’re having a popularity contest, I’d gladly take my L. This shit has nothing to do with fame or being a good person. I’ve giving my whole adult life to this game, I owe it to myself to speak up.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
Not salty at all, I really do respect Khabib, I honor the type of man he is. But being the best is earned not given. Unfortunately four title fights aint it, no matter how much we all like em https://t.co/eDr454nsTa
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2020
Jones’ last three title defenses were all decisions, one split. Of those 15 rounds, vs. Anthony Smith Jones won 4 of 5 rounds, vs. Thiago Santos Jones won 3 of 5 rounds in earning a split decision, and vs. Dominick Reyes Jones won 4 of 5 rounds. In fact, for the last seven years, Jones has fought nine times, stopping his opponent just once (a second stoppage, of Daniel Cormier, was changed to a No Contest after Jones tested positive for turinabol).
By contrast, Khabib Nurmagomedov has lost two rounds in his entire UFC career. Further, Nurmagomedov retired after Saturday’s win, citing the desire to fulfill his responsibilities as head of household following the death of his father and coach Abdulamap in July, due to complications from COVID-19. The combination of being undefeated, with an unprecedented level of dominance capped by submitting Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje in a row, was enough to move Nurmagomedov up to the #1 spot in the P4P rankings. Further, the contrast between Nurmagomedov’s devout, faith-based life and Jones’ well-documented, chaotic descent into drug use and run-ins with the law cannot have helped Bones’ case for the entirely theoretical title.
And now, Nurmagomedov is retired, and when he officially removes himself from the USADA testing pool, Jones will likely be back in the #1 spot. But for now, Khabib Nurmamodov is the #1 fighter in MMA, fulfilling a father’s dream, and raising “The Eagle” up to legend status, forever.
