"Did Jon Jones pass away?" - Fans react to Alexander Volkanovski possibly replacing Kamaru Usman as the No. 1 P4P fighter after latter's title loss
Kamaru Usman's UFC 278 loss dethroned him as the welterweight champion. It has also put his P4P status in jeopardy, with Alexander Volkanovski primed to take over. However, some fans want Jon Jones to return to the top slot.
Usman lost his belt to Leon Edwards in spectacular fashion, ending a reign that spanned three years and five successful title defenses.
MMA History Today on Twitter announced that 'Volk' will be number one come Monday morning.
Alex Volkanovski will take his place as the pound for pound #1 fighter in the world on Monday. https://t.co/gH0kbCqRgG
Fans reacted to the tweet and expressed their disappointment at Jones' snub. Carlos Dieguez said:
"Did Jon Jones pass away? He’s literally NEVER lost."
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Did Jon Jones pass away? He’s literally NEVER lost.
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Que? Jon Jones never left...
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski huh? https://t.co/nsTTB2Qvd8
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Right behind Jon Jones
It is worth noting that 'Bones' only slots in at No.11 in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. His inactivity has cost him the top spot, causing him to steadily fall down the pecking order over the past two years. 'Bones' himself expressed frustration with the rankings at one point:
"It’s funny seeing people have the satisfaction of being ranked over me when I’m not even competing. Just take me off that silly list."
It’s funny seeing people have the satisfaction of being ranked over me when I’m not even competing. Just take me off that silly list
Many other fans suggested No.4-ranked lightweight Charles Oliveira as an alternative:
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Did Charles Olivera Stop Existing?
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski https://t.co/GOVnPRRkwa
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski This man will claim his rightful place as the No. 1 pound for pound fighter on October 22nd 🤞🏽 https://t.co/CqBs8LHDEv
However, the majority of fans on Twitter celebrated Volkanovski's imminent ascension and stated that he is the most deserving:
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski ITS ABOUT TIME
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Volco was already p4p King the calibre of fighter he's fought are higher usman hasn't fought anyone on p4p list like volco and beaten 2 goats of his division gsp was retired.
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Bald Volk is KING.
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Deserved right after Holloway masterclass!
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski I hope so, for me he was the #1P4P even before this Usman fight
@cliff_airpac @MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski A lot of us always felt like Volk should’ve been there to begin with so I don’t blame him.
A small portion of fans also echoed Leon Edwards' words from his post-fight interview where he dismissed the significance of pound-for-pound rankings. 'Rocky' said:
"Pound-for-pound what? Pound-for-pound what? There is no pound-for-pound. The belt belongs to nobody. That's it."
Watch Leon Edwards' impassioned speech:
Fans tweeted along the same lines:
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Pound for pound is so useless lol
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski Pound for pound in the UFC not world*
@MMAHistoryToday @alexvolkanovski There is no Pound 4 Pound ~ Leon Edwards
Jon Jones teases a return to action at UFC 282
For the former light heavyweight champion to warrant a rise in the pound-for-pound rankings, he must first fight. Jones has been inactive since he vacated his belt over a pay dispute with Dana White and the UFC.
He also simultaneously announced his intention to move up a weight class and become a heavyweight. Two years on from his last fight against Dominick Reyes, which he barely won, Jones revealed a potential return event could be UFC 282.
Check out his tweet:
🏾UFC 282 🙏🏾
Jones also outlined his aim for his much-anticipated heavyweight debut:
"My goal, my dream is to have my first heavyweight title fight look like my first light heavyweight title fight. Pure domination"
Check out his tweet below:
My goal, my dream is to have my first heavyweight title fight look like my first light heavyweight title fight. Pure domination
Jon Jones conveniently placed himself in the title picture, but that would mean he would have to go up against the hardest hitter in the world, Francis Ngannou. The UFC would by no means be averse to such a blockbuster matchup, so there is no reason to not be hopeful.