Jon Jones vs. Islam Makhachev: Chael Sonnen Explains Why Jones Still Holds the Edge
Chael Sonnen has weighed in on the Jon Jones vs. Islam Makhachev debate and he thinks Jones still holds a very clear edge over the Dagestani champion.
The debate over who reigns supreme on MMA's all-time pound-for-pound list is a constant battleground, but combat sports analyst Chael Sonnen believes one fighter still stands alone at the top. While current multi-division sensation Islam Makhachev continues to build a peerless resume of dominance, Sonnen insists that former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones maintains a distinct edge over the Dagestani superstar.
Holding a legendary 28-1 record featuring 15 title fight victories, Jones defined elite performance in the Octagon for well over a decade. Meanwhile, Makhachev’s meteoric rise, boasting a 29-1 professional record and capturing championship gold across weight classes, has forced fans to reconsider the all-time hierarchy. For Sonnen, however, the gap between the two champions comes down to career longevity, mindset, and the sheer physical leap required to conquer heavyweights.
A Broader Spread and Unique Greatness
Sonnen acknowledged that while reaching the summit in two separate weight classes immediately puts a fighter in rare company, Jones accomplished his multi-division feat across a far larger weight gap, leaping from 205 pounds all the way up to heavyweight.
"Islam’s got a great argument, it’s very rare," Sonnen said. "If you go to two different weight classes and you make it to the top of the pile, you go into a rare group. But Jon is also part of that group, and Jon’s spread is a little bigger, right?"
Beyond the accomplishments inside the cage, Sonnen expressed deep appreciation for Jones' competitive fire and personal evolution outside of competition.
“I absolutely love the competitiveness of Jon Jones,” Sonnen said. “Jon is not like the rest of us, which is why Jon has had experiences and levels of success unlike the rest of us. He’s not going to say goodbye to anything. I love that. I love that about him.”
Sonnen also emphasized how Jones has matured past earlier career missteps, morphing into a far more accessible figure for fight fans.
"Jon Jones is, in many ways, better now than even when he was competing," Sonnen noted. "He’s in less trouble now. He’s nicer now. He’s more accessible now."
While Makhachev’s case for greatness grows stronger with every outing, Sonnen maintains that Jones’ unmatched weight spread and singular mentality keep "Bones" firmly anchored atop the GOAT throne.
