Tom Aspinall Reacts to Dana White's Shift in Pound-for-Pound Debate Between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is amused by UFC CEO Dana White’s sudden change of heart regarding the pound-for-pound rankings. After years of backing Jon Jones as the top fighter, White recently declared that lightweight king Islam Makhachev deserves the No. 1 spot following his dominant UFC 311 victory.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) was initially set to face Arman Tsarukyan, but a last-minute opponent change saw him facing Renato Moicano. Despite the short-notice switch, Makhachev secured an impressive first-round submission win, further cementing his place as the top lightweight in the UFC. White’s remarks acknowledging Makhachev’s willingness to fight anyone caught Aspinall's attention.

"Now we’re seeing Dana White coming out and saying that he’s the pound-for-pound No. 1 in the world, Islam Makhachev,” Aspinall shared on his YouTube channel. “To me, pound-for-pound is just a talking point. But it’s funny to see him jump ship from Jon Jones to Islam."

Aspinall, who is expected to face Jones later this year in a title-unification bout, believes Makhachev’s dominance speaks for itself. "Islam did exactly what a champion should do—he fought whoever was put in front of him and dominated. He’s going to hold that belt for a long time, and I’m excited to see it," Aspinall added.

The debate surrounding the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings continues to heat up, with White’s shifting opinions fueling further discussions among fans and fighters alike.