Jon Jones is reportedly retired from mixed martial arts. Despite his extensive and nearly unmatched record of achievements inside the cage, the persistent question remains: is he truly the greatest fighter to have ever competed in the sport?
During a special broadcast of the MMA Fighting Rankings Show, analysts Alexander K. Lee, Damon Martin, Jed Meshew, and E. Casey Leydon revisited the frequently discussed topic of Jones`s legacy and where it stands in the broader conversation about the GOAT title. They debated whether the two-division UFC champion`s accomplishments are sufficient to place him above the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jose Aldo, Fedor Emelianenko, and other iconic figures. The discussion also explored if, on a pound-for-pound basis, Jones possesses the most sophisticated skillset in MMA history.
Each of the four panelists provided their individual ranking for Jones and presented their arguments supporting or disputing his status as the undisputed greatest of all time.
Additionally, following Ilia Topuria`s significant knockout victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, the latest MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings now see three champions receiving votes for the coveted No. 1 position: Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev, and Alexandre Pantoja. The panelists shared their reasoning for which of these elite fighters they believe is the best overall martial artist on the planet right now.
Murray Blackwood