In the world of MMA, the topic of pound-for-pound rankings often stirs debate, with fans and experts weighing various fighters against each other. One man who knows his way around this discussion is Demetrious Johnson, a legendary figure in the sport. For Johnson, the conversation comes down to just how comprehensive a fighter’s skillset is.
These rankings can quickly become tangled, as everyone seems to have their own set of criteria. Johnson, however, cuts through the noise, focusing on elements like a fighter’s activity, whether they hold a championship, and how recently they’ve fought. Above all, he believes a true pound-for-pound great is well-rounded.
“MMA is one of those sports where becoming a world champion isn’t as daunting as it seems,” Johnson explained to MMA Junkie Radio. “There are fighters out there with glaring gaps in their game who still win titles.”
As someone who’s had an illustrious tenure in the UFC, Johnson understands the importance of versatility. During his reign, he successfully defended his title using a mix of submissions, knockouts, and tactical decisions. Nicknamed “Mighty Mouse,” he was a formidable opponent no matter where the fight took place. While reflecting on his career, Johnson sees similar attributes in UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
“Right now, if you’re asking who’s the best pound-for-pound fighter, it’s got to be Islam Makhachev,” Johnson declared. “He’s a complete package—he can strike, grapple, and he’s got judo and jiu-jitsu skills to boot. He’s faced tough challenges and overcome them. Makhachev is the best, followed closely by Jon Jones, who’s proven himself over many years and can do it all.”
Some enthusiasts argue that conquering a second weight class can further cement a fighter’s pound-for-pound status. While Makhachev has defended his lightweight title multiple times, he hasn’t yet fought for a title in another division. With changes in the welterweight landscape, this might be possible, provided he doesn’t have to fight current champ Belal Muhammad.
Johnson recently spent some training time alongside Makhachev and his team, gaining insight into his adaptability across weight classes. He has no doubts about Makhachev’s ability to succeed if he steps up to 170 pounds.
“Seeing him train, you get a sense of his size and capability,” Johnson shared. “He could handle moving up a weight class, no problem. The only adjustment will be dealing with bigger fighters, but given his all-around abilities and track record in securing wins by knockout and submission, he’ll be just fine.”
For those wanting more MMA insights, be sure to catch new episodes of MMA Junkie Radio hosted by “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” every Monday and Thursday. You can tune in via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, OmnyStudio, and other platforms. Don’t forget to join the conversation on MMA Junkie’s Instagram and YouTube pages, where fans dive deep into everything mixed martial arts.
