Dana White Blasts UFC Rankings Panel for Khalil Rountree Placement

Dana White is disappointed, to say the least, when it comes to the Ultimate Fighting Championship ’s latest rankings.

While White has voiced his displeasure with the rankings in the recent past, it was mostly in regards to Jon Jones ’ standing in the pound-for-pound poll. Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev is the currently the promotion’s pound-for-pound No. 1 after having defended his title three times in less than two years. However, White insists that Jones, who is essentially undefeated, should top the rankings despite having not fought since March 2023, which was his return to action after a three-year hiatus.

White’s grouse with the rankings has now transcended the Jones saga. The UFC head honcho is also disappointed about the ranking of recent light heavyweight title contender Khalil Rountree . Rountree had a surprising wild card entry into title contention against Alex Pereira despite being ranked No. 8 in the official UFC.com rankings . “The War Horse” challenged the champ in the main event at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah. While Rountree suffered a brutal fourth-round technical knockout less, he proved his mettle by winning the first two rounds on every scorecard.

However, Rountree didn’t climb the light heavyweight ladder, much to the ire of White. The UFC official rankings, started in 2013, are decided by a panel of media members. White has recently been lashing out at the whole system, questioning the media’s understanding of the sport. White now seemingly plans to change something about it in the near future. Expressing his displeasure about Rountree’s ranking, White said he has a meeting scheduled this week to change the ranking system.

“The morons strike again. Khalil Rountree fights that badass fight against Pereira and the morons rank him No. 8, keep him at No. 8. Literally, this week I have a meeting to try to fix the rankings and get all these know-nothing, do-nothing mother f—-ers out of it. So hopefully this week I get this fixed.”