UFC legend Jon Jones believes welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev is a once-in-a-generation athlete in fight sports activities.
Jon Jones and two-time UFC rival Daniel Cormier reunited as coaches on ALF Actuality 3, a Russian MMA actuality tv present. Jones and Cormier have expressed comparable accounts of what it was like for the 2 rivals to reunite, and their assessments have been lower than amicable.
Jones introduced his retirement from MMA final summer time earlier than concentrating on a return to the Octagon on the White Home garden later this 12 months. As of this writing, it’s unsure if he’ll get a spot on the cardboard, as UFC CEO Dana White is hesitant to grant him one other marquee battle.
Within the meantime, Jones continues to sit down on the sidelines and watch the UFC motion from afar. One fighter particularly, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, has turn into certainly one of Jones’s favourite fighters to observe.
That is in stark distinction to Jones’s ideas on Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s longtime mentor and coach. Jones has repeatedly dismissed Nurmagomedov from the UFC GOAT dialog on account of his abrupt retirement in 2020.
However Jones doesn’t really feel the identical approach about Makhachev when discussing the all-time greats.
Jon Jones offers Islam Makhachev ‘GOAT’ label after previous Khabib Nurmagomedov dismissals
In a latest interview with Pink Nook MMA, Jones praised Islam Makhachev and named him as one of many all-time greats.
“I believe Islam is unquestionably one of many best fighters of all time,” Jones mentioned of Makhachev. “He’s one of many guys for positive. I’m not stunned that he’s dominating the competitors. He’s a particular athlete. Some guys are simply chosen to do nice issues, and I believe he’s a type of guys.
“I’m excited to observe the remainder of his profession. I believe he has a number of work to do, however he’s on the precise path, and he’s simply doing every part proper. He’s one of many guys within the sport I respect very a lot.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena to win the UFC welterweight title at UFC 322. He’s anticipated to return later this 12 months, probably in opposition to former champion Kamaru Usman.
Jones and Makhachev may battle on the identical card later this 12 months. If that occurs, count on a number of mutual respect between the 2 stars.
