The UFC’s pound-for-pound list continues to be a major talking point amongst fight fans following this past weekend’s big event in Abu Dhabi. In the main event, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria retained the title and kept his undefeated record intact when he stopped Max Holloway.
Topuria’s current run has been one of the most impressive in recent years with dominant performances on his way up the ladder being capped off with knockout victories over two of the greatest champions in UFC history in Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
Many believe that this win puts him at the forefront to win fighter of the year but to some people’s surprise, it hasn’t seen him move on the pound-for-pound list even though he became the first man to knockout another member of the top 15 rankings.
“El Matador” remains in possession of the #4-ranking, sitting him behind Jon Jones, Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev as the current Mount Rushmore of greatness in the UFC. Jones’ position on the list in particular has been heavily debated throughout the year.
Though Dana White has passionately made the case for why Jones deserves the top spot because he’s the greatest to ever do it, many make the case for why Makhachev and Pereira are deservedly higher due to their recent activity and strength of schedule.
MMA fans reacted on social media to the latest rankings update that saw Jones remain in his position.
“They’re scared of how Dana will react if he overtakes jones”
“The fact Jon Jones has only beat ONE PERSON this decade and it was for a VACANT title… Dricus should be higher than him
“Ilia should be 2 and has a case for 1. They just protect their cash cows”
“Ilia is definitely P4P number 2, no disrespect to AP.”
“Ilia KOd the 2 best fighters in his division almost flatlined them while Jon just submitted a striker in his division years ago”
“Ilia Topuria should be 3. Since Alex Pereira has become champ in two weight classes in two years that gives him the edge for me when it comes to a P4P list. There’s no reason Jon Jones is in front, though.”
“The 3 guys have to lose for him to move up”
