While lightweight champion Islam Makhachev officially has been ranked as the promotion’s pound-for-pound best for quite some time, White has spent the past year vehemently making the case for Jones. But that changed Saturday night after Makhachev submitted replacement Renato Moicano in the first round of the UFC 311 main event at Intuit Dome.

After lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's UFC 311 performance, UFC CEO Dana White believes the Russian is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Makhachev is already the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, a decision UFC CEO Dana White lambasted. White has reiterated that UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones should be No. 1, but when asked if Makhachev’s willingness to fight anyone at anytime has changed his mind, he finally caved.

UFC president Dana White now believes Islam Makhachev is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world after UFC 311.

Makhachev’s ability to adapt seamlessly to a last-second opponent change was on full display at UFC 311. UFC CEO Dana White revealed Makhachev’s cold response to the news of Tsarukyan’s withdrawal and his desire to continue to fight on the card.

Dana White denies Arman Tsarukyan a title shot against Islam Makhachev, stating the rising contender won’t get his chance yet.

Dana White spent the majority of 2024 blasting the UFC rankings panel for overlooking heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who has fought just twice in five years, in favor of Makhachev. However, the MMA mogul finally admitted that Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate is the best fighter currently on his roster after UFC 311.

UFC CEO Dana White and UFC commentator Daniel Cormier have different opinions on what should be next for Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev after UFC 311.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev could potentially defend his title against a familiar foe next. UFC CEO and president Dana White's major update on the consensus lightweight No.

The ride to UFC 311 had some last-minute bumps in the road when would-be lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan suffered a back injury Friday that forced his withdrawal from a main-event rematch with champion Islam Makhachev, resulting in a Renato Moicano detour on a day's notice.

UFC President Dana White announced Friday that Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on Saturday

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has playfully noted UFC boss Dana White's change of stance over the pound-for-pound rankings.