Dana White Renews Criticism of UFC Rankings
Dana White renewed his criticism of the UFC’s rankings panel after UFC 309, arguing that Jon Jones deserved the No. 1 place in the pound-for-pound list. The disagreement followed Jones’s November 16, 2024 win over Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden.
Where the rankings stood
In its November 18 rankings update, the UFC listed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev first, Jones second and Alex Pereira third in the pound-for-pound standings. Jones had moved up one spot after the event. The UFC says its rankings are voted on by a media panel, while its pound-for-pound list allows champions from any division to be considered. See the UFC’s November 18 rankings report and its rankings and voting information.
White’s response
White criticized the voters in Instagram Stories, calling them “clowns,” and said he believed Jones should be No. 1 based on his career and accomplishments. He also floated consulting Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about using artificial intelligence to produce rankings. That was White’s proposal; the UFC’s published process remained a media vote. Sportsnet reported on White’s argument.
Pound-for-pound rankings compare fighters across weight classes, so the order reflects voters’ judgments rather than a result determined in the cage. Jones’s win over Miocic and Makhachev’s record as lightweight champion were among the credentials fans debated after the update. The list is separate from divisional championship standings.
White’s comments renewed the debate about who should have the top spot and whether the panel’s method best captures accomplishments across divisions.
What do you think of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings?
