UFC President Dana White has stirred up controversy in the mixed martial arts community by revealing his personal “Mount Rushmore” of MMA legends, notably omitting some fan-favorite fighters from the list.
In a recent interview with ESPN, White named his top four greatest fighters of all time: Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, Georges St-Pierre, and Conor McGregor. This selection has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, particularly due to the absence of certain highly-regarded competitors.
White’s inclusion of Ronda Rousey raised eyebrows, but he defended his choice, stating, “You have to go with Ronda Rousey. Women would not be competing in the UFC if it wasn’t for her.” Rousey’s impact on women’s MMA is undeniable, having been a trailblazer who helped bring female fighters into the mainstream spotlight.
The UFC president also drew parallels between Rousey and McGregor’s careers, noting how their massive success and subsequent opportunities may have ultimately contributed to their downfall in the sport. “The Conor thing is much like Ronda,” White explained. “So many opportunities fell on Ronda… ended up being her downfall, right? It’s just the money and everything else… Conor McGregor is ten times that.”
White’s comments highlight the challenges faced by fighters who achieve unprecedented levels of fame and financial success. The struggle to maintain motivation and hunger for competition after reaching the pinnacle of the sport is a recurring theme in combat sports.
The selection of Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre for White’s Mount Rushmore comes as little surprise, given their dominant reigns as champions and their status as perennial pound-for-pound greats. Both fighters have consistently been in the conversation for the greatest of all time across various weight classes.
However, the omission of certain legendary fighters has left many fans questioning White’s criteria. Some argue that the list overlooks the contributions of pioneers who helped shape the sport in its early days, as well as dominant champions from other organizations who never competed in the UFC.
As with any subjective ranking of all-time greats, White’s Mount Rushmore has ignited passionate discussions within the MMA community. It serves as a reminder of the sport’s rich history and the difficulty in comparing fighters across different eras and weight classes.
While debates about the greatest fighters of all time will likely continue indefinitely, White’s selections offer insight into the figures he believes have had the most significant impact on the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts as a whole.
