Dana White explains who he believes is the great UFC fighter of all time.
The greatest of all time discussion is one of the most talked about discussions in all of sports. Rather it would be Michael Jordan and Lebron James, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, or any other sports, they all have something in common for fans. Debates between the players statistics and why they have the status that they do. This one topic has created rather a bond or an infringement with fans across the world. Some people take who is called the greatest of all time in their respected sport very seriously.
In the UFC’s greatest of all time conversation, there are a couple of names who may come to mind first. Such as Anderson “The Spider” Silva, who dominated the UFC middleweight division with a 16-0 run to begin his UFC career. Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, who avenged his only 2 loses in MMA and finished his career on a 13 fight win streak. Or, as of recently, some people may argue that Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov could be the greatest of all time. Being that Nurmagomedov finished his UFC career flawlessly, with a 29-0 record.
Yet, one name may trump all when it comes to the greatest of all time conversation, although some may argue due to controversy. That fighter is none other than Jon “Bones” Jones. Jones had ran through the light heavyweight division, and is now the current heavyweight champion of the UFC. Although Jones has 1 loss on his record, any viewers who watched that fight against Matt “The Hammer” Hamill, saw Jones winning the fight before being disqualified for illegal downwards elbows. Jones had other controversies to do with illegal substances, which also taints his conversation in the all time great fighters.
Dana White Depicts Who He Believes Holds the Greatest Fighter of All Time Status
Current UFC CEO Dana White has been with the company since 2001, and has seen his fair share of fighters. So, it is fair to say he may know a thing or 2 when it comes to fighters and the greatest of all time conversation. White recently sat down with Lex Fridman on the Lex Fridman podcast, to talk about who believes is the greatest UFC fighter of all time. In which he details the domination of Jon Jones’ reign and a fighter who had the potential to be labelled as the greatest.
“He’s never been beat,” White continues, “He destroyed everyone at light heavyweight. Which at the time was the toughest weight class in the company, in the sport. And then he moved up to heavyweight, won easily at heavyweight.”
White then speaks on Jon Jones’ controversies through his UFC career.
“When you look at the guy and you look at what he was doing outside of the Octagon at the same time, which shouldn’t be part of it, shouldn’t be part of the equation. But when you do, wow. You can hate him all you want, Jon Jones is the greatest of all time.”
Lastly, White speaks on Nurmagomedov, who he believes had a running for the greatest of all time conversation.
“I think Khabib had the potential to be in the running for that, he just didn’t stick around… Khabib is one of the all-time greats.”
It seems clear that White has his opinion on who the greatest of all time is. For himself and others, there is without a doubt that Jones was dominant enough to make a great career and be the greatest of all time.
Quotes taken from the Lex Fridman Podcast
Who do you believe is the greatest UFC fighter of all time? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
