Michael Bisping doesn’t consider Islam Makhachev or Alexander Volkanovski are the rightful heirs to the No. 1 pound-for-pound throne.
Earlier this month, Islam Makhachev put his UFC light-weight championship on the road for the primary time in opposition to present 145-pound titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. It was the primary time in promotional historical past that the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet squared off with the person sitting within the No. 2 spot and the battle didn’t disappoint. The 2 warriors engaged in a back-and-forth battle for 25 minutes that noticed Makhachev retain his title through unanimous resolution.
Despite scoring a win over the No. 1 ranked fighter on the planet, Islam Makhachev has remained within the No. 2 spot igniting a debate over who the true pound-for-pound king is amongst followers and fighters. Nevertheless, if you happen to ask Michael Bisping, neither Islam Makhachev nor Alexander Volkanovski is deserving of the No. 1 rating. Talking in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, ‘The Cout’ stated:
“Who’s the pound-for-pound primary? … That’s the huge story,” Michael Bisping stated. “Not too long ago, we had UFC 284… primary pound-for-pound in opposition to the quantity two… A number of rankings nonetheless have Alexander Volkanovski because the pound-for-pound primary (despite the fact that he misplaced)… Volkanovski continues to be, in opposition to Islam, most likely pound-for-pound a greater fighter… (However), I don’t suppose Alexander Volkanovski is the pound-for-pound primary on the planet.
“That title belongs to a person that returns subsequent week to the Octagon. After all, I’m speaking about Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones. He’s been out of motion for some time, three years away from the Octagon. We all know this. However that’s the man. That’t the man who’s run roughshod over the sunshine heavyweight division for years, generations, taking out champion after champion,” Bisping continued. “We’re splitting hairs right here, as a result of they’re all good… Nevertheless, Jon Jones, while you take a look at what he’s performed… You’ll be able to’t deny the person” (h/t MMA News)
Is Michael Bisping Forgetting About Jon Jones’ Lackluster Performances In opposition to Thiago Santo and Dominick Reyes?
Whereas one can respect and perceive how Michael Bisping got here to the conclusion that Jon Jones is deserving of the No. 1 P4P rating, it appears as if ‘The Depend’ is forgetting Jon Jones’ final two lackluster appearances within the Octagon.
Jon Jones will make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon on March 4 when he challenges Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship. ‘Bones’ has not competed in additional than three years, making him a curious selection as the highest of Bisping’s private pound-for-pound rating. Jones has additionally had a number of resolution victories that had been extremely scrutinized by followers that consider a “champion’s benefit” is the one factor that saved Jones from defeat.
In 2013, many followers felt that Alexander Gustafsson did sufficient to defeat Jones for the sunshine heavyweight title at UFC 165. ‘Bones’ finally put the controversy to mattress with a third-round knockout of Gustafsson 5 years later at UFC 232. Nevertheless, followers had been as soon as once more calling foul after Jones escaped with intently contested choices over Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes earlier than vacating the title to make his heavyweight transition.
Do you agree with Michael Bisping? Tell us who you suppose is the UFC’s No. 1 ranked fighter within the feedback part beneath.
