Remember how we wrapped up last year? Dana White losing his mind and ranting to his friend and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his Instagram story, “I have to get rid of these CLOWNS!!” Well, guess what? Looks like those clowns might just have had the last laugh. UFC 311 was not only the adrenaline-packed start to the year we all needed but also a moment of reckoning for the UFC boss himself.

Islam Makhachev not only made Renato Moicano tap to a D’arce choke but also figuratively out of the opportunity that landed in his lap overnight. And Dana White? Well, the UFC head honcho tapped out of the rigid conviction he held onto for so long. While reigning as the official Pound for Pound #1 for a long time, Makhachev has now earned that fabled distinction in White’s mind as well.

“He’s [Islam] already the pound-for-pound number one. Yeah, yeah!” White admitted at the UFC 311 post-fight presser. But what about the long-standing debate about Jon Jones’ supremacy? That’s folklore now. And with the bossman’s admission, the 155lbs kingpin also expressed his satisfaction by getting the well-deserved praise. “Honestly, I’m very happy because now nobody can say something,” Makhachev declared after White publicly acknowledged his pound-for-pound crown.

A rare admission indeed, especially from a man who’s been unwavering in keeping Jon Jones at the top, citing the legend’s undefeated career. For Makhachev, this moment of recognition was the ultimate validation. “I feel like the number one best fighter in the world right now,” he said, his calm confidence shining through.

And if UFC 302 didn’t seal the deal, UFC 311 most certainly did. A short-notice bout, a dominating performance, and one undeniable truth. Makhachev doesn’t just fight, he delivers. And just like that, the debate seemed to find its resolution, leaving us all to wonder, what really changed Dana’s mind?

Changing narratives: The crowning of Islam Makhachev

Dana White’s relationship with UFC rankings has always been, well, colorful. Remember UFC 302? Islam Makhachev did everything right. His submission win over Dustin Poirier wasn’t just electrifying. It made sure the main attraction on the card delivered and also saw Makhachev earning two bonuses. And yet, it wasn’t enough to sway Dana White. “For anyone to call Islam the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world when Jon Jones is still f*cking fighting is nuts,” White had ranted back then, fiercely defending Jones’ legacy.

Throughout that uproar when Jones was dropped to No. 2 P4P, Makhachev remained unshaken. When White dismissed him as anything but the best, the Dagestani simply shrugged it off. “Maybe it’s his opinion,” Makhachev said. Calm, collected, and quietly dominant, Makhachev did what he does best, win fights and let his work speak louder than words.

But fast forward to now, and the narrative takes a sharp turn. Not only did the Russian put on another clinic in the Octagon, but he also broke the record for most UFC lightweight title defenses, previously held by his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov since 2018. That seemed to be the tipping point for the UFC boss. “Now you know, Dana. Now you know,” Makhachev said with a sly grin, maybe subtly referencing the uncomfortable history he and his fellow Dagestani lot have had with White in recent years.

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So, here we are with Makhachev as the undeniable face of the sport. Who’s your pound-for-pound king? Is it the unshakable legacy of Jon Jones or the undeniable dominance of Islam Makhachev? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!