UFC stars Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev have recently become the focus of fan discussions around the greatest MMA memes ever, following a tweet from former middleweight contender Derek Brunson asking about the top meme in the sport’s history. The question sparked a wave of responses from fans recalling memorable moments and iconic jokes linked to MMA fighters.
Mixed martial arts has seen a wealth of humorous references and recurring themes that have endeared certain fighters to meme culture. When Brunson posed his question, it prompted fans to dive into the vast archive of MMA’s funniest and most celebrated memes. Among hundreds of mentions, Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones stood out as the most frequently named figures.
One fan spotlighted Makhachev’s history of dismissing many Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, questioning the legitimacy of Dustin Poirier’s rank in particular. The fan’s comment, “Black belt? Who give him?” resonated as a nod to Makhachev’s blunt disbelief.
In contrast, some simply referenced Jon Jones by name, implying that the current heavyweight champion himself has become a meme symbol within the community. Another popular meme involved Chael Sonnen’s notorious confrontation with Wanderlei Silva on “The Ultimate Fighter,” highlighted by the quote,
“’I can’t let you get close’ will always be top tier.”
Fans returned repeatedly to mention Makhachev, emphasizing his dominance and persistence with comments like, “2-3 years Dagestan and forget.” This reflects the reverence for his grappling roots and relentless rise through the ranks.
Despite their popularity in meme culture, Jones has experienced a waning favor among the MMA fanbase due to his hesitation to unify the heavyweight title with interim champion Tom Aspinall, creating tension over the sport’s championship future.
Islam Makhachev Targets Welterweight Championship After Jack Della Maddalena’s Victory
At UFC 315, Jack Della Maddalena secured the welterweight championship by defeating Belal Muhammad in a fiercely contested match. Muhammad’s brief reign was the obstacle preventing Islam Makhachev from aiming for a second UFC title. With Della Maddalena now the champion, Makhachev has a clearer path to pursue the welterweight belt.
Makhachev and Muhammad share not only the same training under former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov but also a strong friendship. During speculation about a possible encounter between the two, Muhammad publicly declared he would never face Makhachev out of respect for their bond and shared history as training partners.
This close relationship adds a complex layer to the welterweight landscape, where title challenges often intersect with personal loyalty and camaraderie forged inside the gym.