Jon Jones labels himself and Islam Makhachev as GOATs, picks him to beat Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev has received plaudits from MMA legend Jon Jones. A former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, Jones has labeled his fellow two-division UFC champ as one of the greatest fighters. 

Additionally, "Bones" predicted that Makhachev would emerge victorious against Ian Machado Garry, whilst highlighting the reason behind his pick. 

Jon Jones deems himself and Islam Makhachev as G.O.A.T.s, picks Makhachev over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330

Jon Jones retired from MMA in 2025 but later announced that he's re-entered the UFC's drug testing pool. The 38-year-old has consistently hinted that he's open to an MMA return in the UFC's famed octagon. 

In the meantime, he's been involved as a guest of honor and brand ambassador for multiple combat sports organizations. That includes the Dirty Boxing Championship (DBX) promotion that he co-owns with fellow UFC veteran Mike Perry, as well as his association with IBA (International Boxing Association) Bare Knuckle. 

Jones recently indicated that he's headed to Moscow, Russia. The American fighter landed in Russia ahead of IBA Bare Knuckle 5 and was interviewed by Russian media.

Well, Sport24ru requested him for his take on the much-awaited title fight between UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry.

Jones picked Makhachev, a former UFC lightweight champion, to win due to his wrestling background. 

Having himself started with wrestling as his MMA base, Jones stated, "I'm going with Islam. Because he has a wrestling background. And it's very hard to -- it's hard to beat wrestlers. So Islam." 

Incidentally, certain sections of the combat sports realm have lately drawn parallels between Jones's and Makhachev's respective standings as the MMA G.O.A.T.s (Greatest Of All Time).

During his aforementioned interview in Russia, Jones suggested that he and Makhachev could be regarded as the G.O.A.T.s of MMA. He said: 

"He (Islam Makhachev) may just be one of the greatest fighters in the world. Right now, it's me and maybe him. So I encourage him to keep going." 

 

Watch Jon Jones address Islam Makhachev's upcoming fight against Ian Machado Garry and laud Makhachev in the video below: 

Islam Makhachev looks to make his first UFC welterweight title defense, while Jon Jones's MMA future remains shrouded in mystery

Dagestan's Islam Makhachev has, coincidentally, been a longtime training partner of ex-UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.

Nurmagomedov and Cormier, both retired MMA stars, are often brought up in fan debates and discussions regarding the MMA G.O.A.T. conversations.

That aside, some believe Makhachev still has a long way to go before being hailed as the greatest, as he looks to notch his first defense of the welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15. 

Furthermore, there's still an air of mystery shrouding Jon Jones's MMA future; his most recent fight having transpired back in November 2024.

Jones has also hinted at potentially crossing over to professional boxing, with his contemporaries like ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven making a mark inside the boxing ring.