Jon Jones is not a fan of the current UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
The UFC light heavyweight king is regarded by many in the combat sports world as the pound-for-pound best mixed martial artist today.
And yet, he is not at the summit of the UFC’s list with bitter rival and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier holding the position. In essence, the definition of pound-for-pound is the ability to perform in multiple weight classes and Cormier has done just that when he became a two-weight champion.
However, Jones beating Cormier twice at light heavyweight makes things a bit complicated for some, and “Bones” feels the only reason he’s not at the top of the heap is because of politics.
“Double tap if the ending of this video confused the hell out of you. I mean the first time I fought DC I beat him unanimously. This ranking system can’t be based off straight up skills, wins and resume. Politics I guess. Whoever is ahead of the @UFC rating system needs to slap themselves for this lol.”
Cormier, however, believes Jones only competing at light heavyweight is the reason why he’s not ranked #1.
“It feels great,” Cormier said in January when asked about being ranked the pound-for-pound best.
“Even when they keep releasing the pound-for-pound rankings and I’m ranked above him and he goes, ‘That’s BS,’ absolutely not. You are a great fighter, but you’re a great fighter at the weight class you’ve always stayed at. I’ve done it in multiple weight classes and pound-for-pound says it’s a fighting style that translates across weight classes, and I’ve been the champion in two of them. So I think I am the definition of pound-for-pound.”
There’s been talk of Jones moving up to heavyweight and facing Cormier. Maybe a trilogy fight can settle matters once and for all?