Why Demetrious Johnson ranks Islam Makhachev as pound-for-pound best

One of many GOATs of MMA, Demetrious Johnson, believes pound-for-pound rankings boil right down to the overall skillset a selected fighter possesses.

Pound-for-pound debates can shortly get convoluted as a result of everybody has barely totally different standards to shake out the hypothetical rankings. Johnson considers exercise, championship standing, and recency, however nothing tops being a well-rounded fighter.

“MMA is the simplest sport on the planet to develop into a world champion,” Johnson instructed MMA Junkie Radio. “Like, you’ll be able to suck, you cannot have a – you’ll be able to have such holes in your sport and develop into a world champion.”

Johnson is aware of a factor or two about being a well-rounded fighter. All through his legendary championship run within the UFC, he defended his title by varied submissions, knockouts and selections. Merely put, “Mighty Mouse” was an issue for his opponents wherever the combat would go. Johnson humbly acknowledges the overall skillset he introduced within the cage, and sees numerous that in UFC light-weight champ Islam Makhachev.

“Proper now, Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound greatest fighter on the planet proper now,” Johnson mentioned. “He can strike, he can grapple, he has judo, he has jiu-jitsu. He’s battled adversity. He’s the pound-for-pound greatest fighter on the planet. Jon Jones is true after that, as a result of he can do all of it. He’s battled adversity, he’s grappled individuals. He’s been within the sport for a really, very very long time.”

For some, capturing a title in a second weight class is tipping level for his or her pound-for-pound arguments. Makhachev has 4 title defenses at light-weight, however hasn’t had the chance to combat for a second title. If the panorama modifications at 170 kilos he may, as a result of he received’t combat the present champ Belal Muhammad.

Johnson just lately hung out with Makhachev and his camp on the mats, and believes his abilities will translate to the highest of the division, ought to he ever make a change sooner or later.

“After I skilled with him and seen how large he was at the moment, he’s forcing his – I believe he’ll be effective at 170,” Johnson mentioned. “I actually imagine so. The one factor he’s going to should make up a distinction for is simply the scale and the load. For somebody who’s well-rounded and has so many wins in numerous areas knocking individuals out and submitting them and all that stuff, I believe he’ll be effective.”