Jon Jones reacts to being ranked alongside Lionel Messi and Muhammad Ali on AI list of sporting legends
11/21/2024 07:15 AM
Jon Jones has been ranked by AI among the 10 greatest athletes of all time.
The UFC heavyweight champion knocked out Stipe Miocic in three rounds to defend his belt for the first time at UFC 309 in New York on Saturday night.
'Bones' was already considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time by most fans after dominating for a decade at light heavyweight before moving up a division.
Now he's reacted to being named alongside Lionel Messi, Muhammad Ali, and Michael Jordan on an AI-generated list of the top 10 sports stars of all time.
Jon Jones reacts to AI list of sporting legends
Jon Jones recently shared a graphic titled 'AI RANKS THE TOP 10 GREATEST ATHLETES', which had the 37-year-old MMA fighter sitting at number seven on the list.
It was topped by Michael Jordan, who, according to AI, is the greatest athlete ever. The basketball legend was followed by Muhammad Ali, Pele, Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi, Wayne Gretzky, Jon Jones, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James.
The UFC superstar was happy to be named on the list of sporting greatest – even if it was made by AI.
“Just the thought of being mentioned alongside of these great athletes makes me happy. AI generated or not," Jones wrote alongside the graphic.
Rankings have been a hot topic with Jones at the centre of it in 2024. The American fighter has dropped down the pound-for-pound rankings list, which is decided by accredited MMA reporters, after fighting just once in four years.
However, he recently moved back into the #2 spot above light heavyweight king Alex Pereira and behind lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Still, Dana White believes that Jones should ranked above all UFC fighters.
Dana White wants AI UFC rankings
Throughout 2024, Dana White has been telling anyone who will listen that Jones is the P4P number one and ripping into those who dare to disagree with him.
The UFC boss clearly thought Jones' impressive display against Miocic was enough to make him the promotion's best fighter once again – but those in charge of the P4P rankings disagreed.
White issued an angry response after finding out his favorite fighter had only managed to climb one spot in the rankings following his KO win over one of the best heavyweights in MMA history.
The 55-year-old called on Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg to create an AI rankings system that will allow him to dispose of the current UFC rankings panel.
On his Instagram story, White said: "I have to get rid of these CLOWNS! @Zuck let's get this AI deal done ASAP!!!!!"
It seems just a matter of time before the UFC rankings are decided by AI.
The question is, will Jones top the P4P list when the change is made?
- READ MORE:'Shut up'… Former UFC heavyweight slams fans complaining that Jon Jones is 'ducking' Tom Aspinall
