Who is the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter? Islam Makhachev tops the list as Jon Jones and Alex Pereira look to take his place
Islam Makhachev reigns supreme
Islam Makhachev has taken the UFC world by storm, and now he sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Dagestan native has been on a tear since his debut in 2015, winning 14 straight fights, including 11 finishes. Makhachev's dominance is built on his world-class grappling skills. He is a master of sambo, a Russian martial art that emphasizes takedowns, submissions, and ground control.
Makhachev has used his grappling to submit some of the best fighters in the world, including Charles Oliveira, Rafael dos Anjos, and Dan Hooker. He has also shown impressive striking skills, knocking out Bobby Green in the first round of their fight. Makhachev is a complete fighter who poses a threat to anyone in the lightweight division.
Jon Jones and Alex Pereira aim for the top
Jon Jones is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the greatest fighters of all time. Jones has not fought since February 2020, but he is expected to return to the octagon in 2023. Jones is a well-rounded fighter with devastating striking and wrestling skills. He has won 26 of his 28 fights, including victories over Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Lyoto Machida.
Alex Pereira is a former two-division Glory kickboxing champion. Pereira made his UFC debut in 2021 and has quickly risen to the top of the middleweight division. Pereira is a powerful striker with devastating knockout power. He has won 6 of his 7 MMA fights, including victories over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
Who will be the next pound-for-pound king?
It is too early to say who will be the next pound-for-pound king. Makhachev is the current champion, but Jones and Pereira are both legitimate threats to his throne. Jones is a wrestling specialist with devastating striking, while Pereira is a powerful striker with knockout power. The UFC fans are in for a treat as these three fighters battle it out for supremacy.