“He is one of those guys”: Islam Makhachev’s rise draws praise from Jon Jones as Dana White shifts UFC pound-for-pound crown

Jon Jones praised Islam Makhachev during a January 2026 interview in Thailand, calling him a “special athlete” chosen for greatness. The UFC champion’s recent wins have impressed even MMA’s greatest name. After UFC 311, Dana White also named Makhachev the new pound-for-pound No.1, marking a major shift in the sport’s hierarchy.