Khabib passes Jones to become UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter
The UFC has a new pound-for-pound king.
Following his lightweight title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Khabib Nurmagomedov moved into the No. 1 spot Tuesday, topping former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Khabib is the new #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the updated UFC rankings pic.twitter.com/43CqizGnaH
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 27, 2020
Nurmagomedov, who extended his professional record to 29-0 with a second-round submission of Gaethje, announced his retirement after the victory.
In his postfight interview, Nurmagomedov said he deserves to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
Jones took issue with Nurmagomedov calling for the top position.
"I've won 15 world titles, he just won his fourth," Jones tweeted on Sunday. "The fact that this is even a conversation is mind-blowing to me."
Nurmagomedov defended the 155-pound title three times after winning it in April 2018. "The Eagle" will go down as one of the greatest fighters of all time.