Islam Makhachev Takes Shot at Jon Jones Over UFC P4P Rankings, ‘Bones’ Responds

Islam Makhachev isn’t happy with his standing in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Makhachev, who currently ranks third in the promotion’s poll, took at shot at No. 1 Jon Jones, who regained the top spot when he returned from a three-year hiatus to beat Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Makhachev will face Alexander Volkanovski on short notice in Saturday’s UFC 294 headliner after original foe Charles Oliveira withdrew from the event last week. Makhachev defeated Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion, at UFC 284 in February.

“This is what UFC champions have to do,” Makhachev said on Wednesday at a UFC media event “If you’re a real champion, you have to take fight, doesn’t matter how many days, who it’s going to be. Not like your pound-for-pound champion when they give him Chael Sonnen. If you’re a real champion, you have to fight.

“They put him [Jon Jones] No.1, the No. 1 guy right now, (but) who he beat in his last five fights? We don’t have some names in the top pound-for-pound rankings. I just want to say about the rankings and all these things, this is bulls—t, and I’m not following anymore.”

Makhachev is making reference to UFC 151, where Jones refused to face Sonnen on short notice when Dan Henderson pulled out of their scheduled light heavyweight title fight. As a result, the event was canceled, and Jones drew the wrath of UFC president Dana White.

Jones responded to Makhachev’s remarks in diplomatic fashion on social media.

“I wish you all the best Habibi,” Jones wrote while tagging Makhachev’s account.

“As far as the fight, may the best man win,” he continued. “I was just talking about in life. Islam made some negative comments recently. No need for me to respond with negativity. I have bigger fish to fry right now.”

Jones, who is slated to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 next month, didn’t take the bait when asked about his decision to turn down a fight with Sonnen at UFC 151. Jones did eventually face Sonnen, winning via first-round TKO at UFC 159.

“‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown,’” Jones wrote. “Criticism comes with the territory.

“I want to encourage the young fighters to beat some of my records instead of using their lips. Now that’s gangsta.”

Makhachev is also not happy to be ranked behind Volkanovski, whom he defeated via unanimous decision.

“Because last time I beat (him) already,” Makhachev said regarding the current UFC rankings. “The last fight, it was No. 2 vs. No. 1. If you beat No. 1, you have to be No. 1, but I don’t know who makes the rankings.”

Makhachev considers himself to be champion who takes on all comers, but he also believes Volkanovski has nothing to lose by accepting the rematch.

“I don’t have any pressure,” Makhachev said. “Because I am a champion. It doesn’t matter who it’s going to be in front of me.

“But I agree this guy doesn’t have any pressure. He comes [to fight] on 11 days’ [notice], I already beat him and if I beat him again, people are going to say he came on short notice, not in good shape, something like this. For me, I just step to the cage, finish this guy, that’s it.”