Jon Jones wasn't about to tolerate disrespect coming from Islam Makhachev without putting him in check.
UFC welterweight champion Makhachev broke the record for most consecutive victories in the octagon at 17 when he defeated Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. Had former two-division UFC champ Jones not failed a drug test in his July 2017 rematch win against Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, he would hold the record at 20, a mark that would've dated back to December 2009.
Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) claimed Jones' streak is "invalid" due to his history of failed druge tests, and Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) did not take those remarks well.
"Let’s start this week by dispeling rumors that have been spread by people chasing me:
DC I kicked you in the head LOL
keep telling yourself it was steroids.Whatever you need to tell yourselves to sleep better at night, go for it.Keep chasing, it’s lonely at the top, Islam hopefully I’ll see you up here one day.
If you believe USADA for finding a pico gram in my system, then you must believe USADA when they say “It was not found to be PERFORMANCE ENHANCING or INTENTIONAL”. You can’t have it both ways.
Last I checked, my hand got raised every time I was in the octagon since any of you can remember.
Your own coach said I was “a gift from God”
Let’s not forget you’ve been ko’d, flat lined, went night night."
Let’s start this week by dispeling rumors that have been spread by people chasing me:
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) September 14, 2026
1. If you believe USADA for finding a pico gram in my system, then you must believe USADA when they say “It was not found to be PERFORMANCE ENHANCING or INTENTIONAL”. You can’t have it both…
Makhachev's comments toward Jones come as a surprise as Jones previously dubbed Makhachev one of the greatest fighters alongside himself. Makhachev responded to Jones by throwing some shade.
"Jon, I’m not trying to diminish your achievements in any way. But your whole life seems to be tied to breaking the rules one way or another, and somehow, you’re never the one to be blamed."
Jon, I’m not trying to diminish your achievements in any way. But your whole life seems to be tied to breaking the rules one way or another, and somehow, you’re never the one to be blamed.
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) September 15, 2026
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev trade barbs over validity of UFC greatness
