UFC CEO Dana White modified his thoughts on the pound-for-pound rankings forward of UFC 313.
Dana White isn’t a fan of the UFC’s present rankings system. Months after threatening to exchange it with an Synthetic Intelligence-led substitute, White stays irritated by among the selections to maneuver fighters up and down the ladder.
After months of proclaiming Jon Jones because the pound-for-pound king, to the ire of some media members and followers, White pivoted on that stance in favor of Islam Makhachev. Makhachev completed Renato Moicano at UFC 311, and throughout the post-fight press convention, White admitted Makhachev deserved the highest spot over Jones.
Jones has the prospect to reclaim Makhachev’s prime spot if he returns later this 12 months and defeats Tom Aspinall. Alex Pereira, who, as of this writing, sits at No. 3 within the pound-for-pound rankings, returns this weekend at UFC 313 towards Magomed Ankalaev.
Dana White makes one other beautiful admission in regards to the pound-for-pound rankings
If Pereira continues his history-making title reign and defeats Ankalaev this weekend, White is ready to make one other pivot in his pound-for-pound stance.
Throughout a current look on The Jim Rome Show, White was requested if Pereira would take the highest spot within the pound-for-pound rankings with a win at UFC 313.
“Most likely [yes]. Most likely you would name him the perfect, pound-for-pound,” White stated of Pereira’s pound-for-pound case. “He’s fought down at a decrease weight class and was a world champion, moved up a weight class and is a world champion now. Ankalaev is indisputably the hardest take a look at of his profession. Pereira’s crew all the time talks about how good his takedown protection is, ‘it’s higher than individuals understand’, we’re going to learn the way good it’s this weekend.
“And if he rips by Ankalaev the best way he has all people else…this man desires to maneuver as much as heavyweight and struggle at heavyweight too, and I’m the one which’s really holding him again on that.”
Pereira is eager about a transfer as much as heavyweight to face the Jones vs. Aspinall winner, or whoever holds the belt when he’s able to make the climb. A win at UFC 313 would permit Pereira to surpass Jones because the quickest to defend the sunshine heavyweight championship 4 instances (329 days).
Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones/Tom Aspinall winner is on the desk after UFC 313
Chael Sonnen believes the Pereira vs. Aspinall fight talks will ramp up after UFC 313. However Jones, Aspinall, and the UFC are in lively negotiations to unify the heavyweight belts, doubtlessly as quickly as this summer time.
Pereira recently told Bloody Elbow that he received’t practice along with Jones amidst hypothesis over a future superfight. Jones provided to coach with Pereira throughout a run-in at UFC 306, however Pereira has since pivoted on that proposal.
Jones most just lately defended his heavyweight title towards Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. Makhachev is anticipated to return later this 12 months, doubtlessly in a superfight towards Ilia Topuria for his subsequent title protection.
Because the pound-for-pound debate rages on, don’t be shocked if White makes one other pivot this weekend at UFC 313. Pereira has the prospect to earn greater than one other title win towards Ankalaev.
- READ MORE: Alex Pereira vs Tom Aspinall talks are ‘very likely’ to start soon according to a UFC legend
