UFC heavyweight dismisses legitimacy of P4P rankings ahead of massive fight for top spot

With UFC 284 just days away, MMA fans are eager to find out who'll be the promotion's proud-for-pound king after the event.

The upcoming pay-per-view is headlined by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, who occupies the No.1 spot on the promotion's pound-for-pound ladder.

Makhachev's win will see him take over the No.1 spot, and if Volkanovski wins, he'll retain his status as the pound-for-pound king. Additionally, 'The Great' will also become the promotion's fifth-ever simultaneous two-division champion if he claims the lightweight title from the Dagestani.

Pound-for-pound rankings are used in combat sports to signify who the best fighters are, irrespective of the different weight classes.

However, heavyweight fighter Tom Aspinall believes that the whole concept of the pound-for-pound rankings "is a load of sh**e." In a recent tweet, the Brit dubbed the pound-for-pound method a pointless argument. As per Aspinall, there is no comprehensive way to determine who deserves to be the pound-for-pound No.1:

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"On another note. 'Pound for pound' is an absolute load of shite made up by nerds and can never be proven to be a 'p4p champ'. It’s basically a pointless argument."

Tom Aspinall

@AspinallMMA

On another note. “Pound for pound” is an absolute load of shite made up by nerds and can never be proven to be a “p4p champ”. It’s basically a pointless argument

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On another note. “Pound for pound” is an absolute load of shite made up by nerds and can never be proven to be a “p4p champ”. It’s basically a pointless argument

However, fans and pundits around the world see the upcoming champ vs. champ clash as a monumental moment for the sport.

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Henry Cejudo

@HenryCejudo

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski deserves WAY more HYPE!

This is the No. 1 vs No. 2 pound-for-pound in the sport. The man they call the next Khabib vs the greatest 145er in history. This SUPERFIGHT deserves your attention! #UFC284

FULL 📽️: youtu.be/zsy1Oqm0l3c

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Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski deserves WAY more HYPE!

This is the No. 1 vs No. 2 pound-for-pound in the sport. The man they call the next Khabib vs the greatest 145er in history. This SUPERFIGHT deserves your attention! #UFC284 🔥🔥🔥

FULL 📽️: youtu.be/zsy1Oqm0l3c https://t.co/0vRQ45FStR

In a recent interview with Knockout Radio, UFC President Dana White lauded the upcoming event, saying that the promotion, as opposed to boxing, doesn't shy away from pitching the best fighters against each other.

Catch Dana White's comments below:

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Islam Makhachev details why he wants to be UFC pound-for-pound king

According to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the No.1 pound-for-pound spot is something all fighters sorely desire.

During a recent interview with ESPN MMA's Brett Okamoto, the Russian revealed that he wanted fans to remember him not just as a UFC champion but as the best in the world:

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"When people remember you, they're just not going to call you UFC champion, and they're going to say it's pound-for-pound king. This is I think [a] dream for all fighters, to be No.1 in the world. That's why I want to be [the pound-for-pound king]."

Catch Islam Makhachev's comments below:

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Makhachev's long-time friend and former coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, also held the top spot on the pound-for-pound ladder for a short duration during his career. 'The Eagle' made history at UFC 254 when he retired while claiming the top position in the pound-for-pound rankings.

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