UFC reveal NEW number one fighter for the pound-for-pound rankings as injured Jon Jones drops from the top spot following UFC 295 main event withdrawal
- Dana White and the UFC have confirmed a new pound-for-pound number one
- Jon Jones drops down a place after withdrawing from his fight with Stipe Miocic
- Listen to Mail Sport’s new boxing podcast THE HOOK – with exclusive interviews
The UFC has revealed a new pound-for-pound number as the consensus greatest fighter of all time, Jon Jones, drops down to No 2.
‘Bones’ was supposed to face Stipe Miocic in the first defence of his heavyweight title but was ruled out of the fight after suffering a nasty injury in training.
Dana White revealed that Jones will be sidelined for eight months, and Aspinall vs Pavlovich will take place for the interim heavyweight title this weekend – which will serve as the co-main event.
Jones secured the 265lbs title after defeating Ciryl Gane with ease at UFC 285 following a three-year hiatus from the sport.
It is now likely that the UFC will rebook the Miocic fight in the summer of next year in what could be Jones’ last-ever fight.
The UFC has revealed a new pound-for-pound No 1 – with Jon Jones dropping down to No 2
Jones was supposed to fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 – but was forced to pull out of the bout
Islam Makhachev is the new pound-for-pound No 1 following his win against Alexander Volkanovski
After dropping out from top spot, there is a new pound-for-pound king in the men’s rankings.
Lightweight star Islam Makhachev is now top of the pile following his recent win back in October.
Makhachev delivered a spectacular head kick to extinguish Alexander Volkanovski’s dream of becoming a two-weight champion at UFC 294.
The formidable lightweight king is known for his wrestling ability but showed he has deadly weapons in every area, landing a devastating blow in the first round before pouring on the punishment and prompting referee Marc Goddard to intervene.
The Russian, who holds a professional record of 25-1, is currently riding a 13 fight winning streak.
He put to bed any doubts in the rematch with the featherweight king, given how close the first fight was. Makhachev edged a close decision in the first meeting at UFC 284 back in February.
The 155lbs king was due to face Oliveira in Abu Dhabi last month, but the Brazilian was forced to pull out of the showcase with a brutal eye injury. It now looks like the two will go head-to-head early next year – with the Russian currently one up following his win at UFC 280.
Makhachev is the new number one in the men’s rankings following Jones’ recent injury
The Russian defeated featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski via first-round KO at UFC 294
In the updated rankings, Jones is now No 2, while Volkanovski is still at No 3. The featherweight champion will be looking to get back to winning ways when he faces rising star Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.
England’s Leon Edwards is still in the top five. ‘Rocky’ sits in fourth following his win over Kamaru Usman back in March.
Edwards is scheduled to face divisive welterweight contender Colby Covington at UFC 296 on Saturday, December 16.
Makhachev’s potential future opponent, Oliveira, completes the top five men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
The only other movement in the top 15 sees returning light-heavyweight star, Jiri Prochazka, climb up a spot to 13th, with Usman dropping down a place.
Prochazka is scheduled to fight Alex Pereira at UFC 295 this weekend in a mouthwatering showdown for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
Britain’s Leon Edwards remains in the top five following his win over Kamaru Usman earlier this year
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