UFC President compared the MMA star to Muhammad Ali and called him the best athlete

Today in Newark, USA, the UFC 302 tournament took place. Following this event, the president of the promotion, Dana White, during an interaction with journalists, allowed himself to make a rather bold statement.

The matter at hand is that today Islam Makhachev defended the lightweight championship title for the third time. Discussing this bout, Dana White praised the fighter but asserted that he does not deem him the paramount MMA fighter.

According to the president of UFC, the top-ranked fighter is Jon Jones. White's words, as reported by talkSPORT:

"Jon Jones conquered all in the light heavyweight division, and then triumphed over the paramount heavyweight in the division, as if it were inconsequential.

Jon Jones is unequivocally the premier fighter in the world within his weight class and conceivably the supreme fighter of all eras in any sporting discipline.

When you contemplate who the most formidable individual in the world is, you place two gentlemen in the ring, and the one who emerges is the finest. Jon Jones exits the ring every single time. No doubts."

Subsequently, he allowed himself to juxtapose Jones with the legendary Muhammad Ali:

"Three years hiatus. No one, not even [Muhammad] Ali, ever returned after a three-year hiatus and appeared as formidable as before.

Jon Jones traversed through the number one individual in the heavyweight division, as if the three-year hiatus never transpired.

Jon Jones — unparalleled in the world. Always! And when I say 'always,' I mean in any pugilistic endeavor, he reigns supreme.

You throw Jon Jones into the ring with anyone, and Jon emerges from the room."

Assuredly, such commentary from White will not sit well with boxing enthusiasts who hold Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, and numerous other legends in far higher regard than Jones.