The Russian criticized the UFC’s P4P rankings in response to a reporter’s question about the intention of the league’s head, Dana White, to place his quote on the Apex Arena and the UFC Institute.
“This is what a UFC champion should do,” Makhachev said. “If you’re a real champion, you have to take the fight no matter how many days are left or who it’s going to be. Not like your No. 1 in the P4P rankings who was given a fight with Chael Sonnen. If you’re a true champion, you have to fight. They gave him the number one ranking, but who has he beaten in his last five fights? There’s no names from the P4P rankings there.”
“I want to say that those rankings are bullshit and I don’t follow them anymore. I beat number one last time I was number two and should have taken his spot. I have no idea who makes these rankings.”
On October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev will defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski, and on November 11 at UFC 295 in New York, Jon Jones will put his championship belt on the line against Stipe Miocic.