White Tells Makhachev To Keep Grinding Before GOAT Talk

Dana White is not ready to discuss Islam Makhachev as the greatest UFC fighter of all time.

Makhachev enters UFC 330 on Saturday night tied with Anderson Silva for the longest win streak in UFC history. A victory over Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia would break that record and give the 34-year-old Dagestani title defenses in two separate weight classes. But according to MMA Mania, White told reporters the lightweight-turned-welterweight champion still has ground to cover before he enters the sport's pantheon.

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White Points To Jones' Championship Wins

The UFC CEO pointed to Jon Jones' 16 championship victories as the measuring stick. Makhachev has six. White named Jones as his GOAT and said fellow candidates George St. Pierre and Demetrious Johnson also sit well ahead of Makhachev on total title wins.

"When we see his performance on Saturday, let's see how it plays out, but obviously breaking the record, you keep grinding, you keep fighting, you put your head down and just keep knocking guys down left and right," White said at the Contender Series post-fight press conference, per MMA Mania. "By the time you say 'you know what? I'm done,' then we all figure out where he ends up in the big picture."

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry on Ticketmaster →

White added that Makhachev has the tools to become that guy but suggested the conversation should resume after Saturday's fight. Makhachev closed as the betting favorite over Garry despite some fighters predicting an upset. UFC 330 takes place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on August 15.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC 330’s Islam Makhachev needs to ‘keep grinding’ before Dana White entertains ‘GOAT’ talk