Islam Makhachev reacts after failing to top pound-for-pound rankings after UFC 294 win

Islam Makhachev doesn’t get how he isn’t atop the pound-for-pound rankings.

Back in February, Alexander Volkanovski was the top pound-for-pound fighter, while Islam Makhachev was ranked second. When they fought, it was Makhachev who won, but Volkanovski remained atop the list. Then, after Jon Jones returned and won the heavyweight title, he reclaimed the top spot.

Since then, Islam Makhachev scored a first-round knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 294 on Saturday. After the victory, he called to be the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but when the new rankings came out, Jones still remained atop the list which was frustrating for Makhachev.

RELATED: Alexander Volkanovski still hopeful to return in January at UFC 297.

“I don’t know what else should I do to be #1”

🗣️@MAKHACHEVMMA reacts to P4P rankings update. What do you think he needs to do?

🎥: Ushatayka (YT) #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/qQxpC2Cd3y

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 24, 2023

“I have already said at the press conference, who makes these rankings, what do they do it for, I have no clue. I beat the pound-for-pound king before, they didn’t put me as number one. So, now I am not surprised they did it this way again. Maybe that’s because he (Jones) is fighting soon, so they want to promote his fight. I don’t understand what else I should do to get the number one spot other than beat who was number one,” Makhachev said to the media.

Islam Makhachev believed he should have become the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC after his initial win over Alexander Volkanovski back in February, as the Aussie was atop the list. However, Jon Jones remains in top spot, likely due to the fact that he’s now conquered two divisions.

With the win over Volkanovski at UFC 294, Makhachev improved to 25-1 as a pro and 14-1 in the UFC. He has now defended his lightweight title twice and is ranked second in the pound-for-pound rankings. In his career, he holds notable wins over Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, Bobby Green, Arman Tsarukyan, and Thiago Moises among others.