The UFC recently posted a video of Jon Jones, declaring him as the 'GOAT' (greatest of all time) during the broadcast of week four of the ongoing season of Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS). The video featured a blend of his iconic moments inside the octagon, his achievements, and several analysts' voiceovers.
It also featured UFC CEO Dana White's quote asserting the status of Jones as the greatest fighter to walk the face of the earth:
"When you talk about who's the baddest dude in the world... You put two guys in a room and who walks out? Jones walks out of that room every time."
Jones responded to the video with a simple yet telling reaction on X with eye emojis, perhaps as a nod to UFC and White for the recognition.
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Check out the video below:
Several fans reacted to the X post by Jones and wrote:
"Dana your husband."
"I bet even if Jones beats Stipe with zero trouble, that he won't fight Aspinal and therefore retire the disputed [heavyweight] champion."
"The world will be watching to see what’s next after stipe. If he wins I hope he gives us one more to end it all! Regardless it’s been a wild ride following this man’s career."
"Goats don’t duck the interim champ in their division to fight a 42yr old that got folded like a lawn chair in his last fight 3.5 years ago."
![Fans react to Jon Jones' X post on UFC GOAT promo [Images courtesy: @JonnyBones on X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/1bcd0-17254445086465-1920.jpg 1920w)
The strong reaction from fans is rooted in their perception that Jones is avoiding a fight against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. While traditionally the UFC resorts to booking a fight between a champion and the interim titleholder to determine the undisputed king, the organization has instead taken a different path altogether.
White has reiterated the organization's plans to book Jones to fight Stipe Miocic next in a fight that pits the consensus all-time bests of the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions against each other.
Dana White wants AI to determine pound-for-pound rankings
Dana White is convinced that media members who vote to determine the pound-for-pound rankings in the UFC have any knowledge of the sport.
According to him, Jon Jones deserves to be on top of the list based on his legacy and merit that he defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Several fighters, including Islam Makhachev, who occupies the premier standing in the rankings, have contested White's assertions.
White spoke to the media following the conclusion of the recent episode of DWCS, claiming that AI (artificial intelligence) should take over the task of determining the rankings. He said:
"Did you guys read the stats? He recently just beat the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I hope you guys read that stat. Do you know what is f*cking great about technology? We’re not far away from A.I. actually doing these rankings and it will be a great f*cking day when A.I. starts doing this shit. So I’m really excited about that.”
Check out White's comments below: