Someone messed up when ranking Conor McGregor at number one on the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings.
The promotion released its pound-for-pound rankings on Monday and there was a new king on top of the rankings. Despite having not fought since defeating Donald Cerrone in January at UFC 246, McGregor was shockingly the no. 1 ranked male fighter.
The pound-for-pound ranking is always a fiery conversation for the MMA community, with fighters and fans debating who should be ranked first. The position was hotly contested between Demetrious Johnson and Jon Jones for years but after the formers swap to ONE Championship, Jones has been atop of the tree for most weeks of a calendar year.
Khabib Nurmagomedov stated his claim to be number one after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov wanted to be no. 1 as an honor to the dominance he had in his career within the organization.
“I know only one thing I want from UFC, you guys have to be me on No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world because I deserve this,” Nurmagomedov said after his victory (h/t MMA Fighting). “UFC undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion, 13-0, 13 in UFC, 29 in all pro MMA career. I think I deserve it.”
Jones was not going to relinquish the crown peacefully and took to Twitter to defend his record and stated that sentimental reasons or not, he is the undisputed pound-for-pound number one.
"15 world titles, numbers don’t lie,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’ve won 15 world titles, he just won his 4th. The fact that this is even a conversation is mine blowing to me.”
Definitely a powerful moment, but my logic is definitely not clouded.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
Jones and Nurmagomedov both had valid stakes to be considered top of the rankings. But after the UFC released their rankings with McGregor top of the rankings, fans and media alike had raised their eyebrows at that decision. McGregor has only fought once since losing to Nurmagomedov and to be ranked number one was a suspect decision, to say the least.
Anyone surprised by this? -- pic.twitter.com/76zdhgv91r
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@FightShakFight) December 14, 2020
The UFC swiftly updated their rankings with "The Eagle" still atop of the pile and ranked at number one despite his retirement. "The Notorious" one sits in at no. 12 in the rankings, which despite the big drop from his temporary number one, is a respectable position for the first two-weight champion in UFC history. Nurmagomedov has got his wish to be no. 1 and possibly until Jones returns to the Octagon, he will stay there.
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