UFC Commentator Believes Islam Makhachev Is Still The Top Pound-For-Pound Fighter
Ilia Topuria moved to 17-0 after beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, capturing the lightweight belt and jumping to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. He’s now a two-division champion with some of the most brutal finishes the sport has seen. UFC commentator Jon Anik disagrees with the rankings, though. He thinks Islam Makhachev still deserves the number one spot.
In his view, fighters shouldn’t lose their pound-for-pound status by vacating a belt and moving up as a challenger. For him, Makhachev will remain P4P king until someone actually beats him in the octagon. He said, “Islam deserves his flowers, you know as far as I am concerned, you don’t lose your pound for pound number one status outside the octagon so for me, he is still the king until proven otherwise.”
🗣️ Jon Anik says in his opinion, Islam Makhachev is still the pound-for-pound number one 👑
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 12, 2025
“Islam deserves his flowers you know as far as I am concerned, you don’t lose your pound for pound number one status outside the octagon so for me, he still the king until proven… pic.twitter.com/YPF2wXryQO
The argument for Topuria is strong. He defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and many in ways nobody had before. Those finishes were devastating and historic. Then he moved up and beat Oliveira to become a two-division champion. That’s the kind of resume that demands recognition.
But Anik’s point about losing the ranking outside the octagon has merit. Makhachev vacated to chase bigger challenges, not because someone took the belt from him. Whether that should cost him the top spot depends on how one values activity versus achievement. Team Khabib feels that Makhachev is more deserving than anyone.
Team Khabib’s Manager Snubs Ilia Topuria Over Islam Makhachev As No.1 P4P Fighter
Ali Abdelaziz said Topuria is one of the best fighters he’s seen in a long time, but believes Makhachev is the real No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
He said, “I just think Islam’s 15 fight winning streak in the UFC and him finishing his 9 of his last 10 fights makes him the number 1 Pound for Pound fighter.”
Meanwhile, if Makhachev beats Jack Della Maddalena, it seems he would regain the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot, as he would become a two-division champion, defeat top fighters from two divisions, and extend his 16-fight winning streak, which is huge.
UFC Commentator Believes Islam Makhachev Is Still The Top Pound-For-Pound Fighter
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