The excitement for UFC 309 is at an all-time high, especially with the spotlight on Jon Jones and his fight against Stipe Miocic. Furthermore, UFC president Dana White has doubled down on his claims of Jon Jones being the greatest P4P fighter of all time. Yet, in a surprising twist, the UFC CEO head honcho recently gave a certain highest praise not to Jones but to basketball legend Michael Jordan. But what exactly made the UFC head honcho snub the fighting GOAT for the man many consider the basketball GOAT?

It all took place during an interview with TNT Sports when White played a game of answering a series of questions about his favorite athletes and moments. When he was asked about who he thought was the best sports athlete of all time, the UFC head honcho said, “I’m a huge Michael Jordan fan. So, I would have to go Michael Jordan”. Had this not been a basketball star but a fighter, Jon Jones would have definitely taken issue with Dana White’s claim.

White made it up to Jones, however, by naming him as a clear favorite in two different categories instead. When asked about the best P4P fighter in the UFC, he simply named, “Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.” And when asked about the UFC GOAT, Jon Jones took the crown again, as per Dana White. Clearly, ‘Bones’ stays a favorite for the head honcho of the promotion.

In the same vein, Conor McGregor wasn’t too far behind. The Irishman, despite not being an active fighter in the UFC right now, remains a clear favorite for Dana White. When asked about the most entertaining fighter in the UFC, White took no time in naming Conor McGregor. He said, “The best entertainer, McGregor. Even though McGregor’s been inactive, I mean, when you think of [the greatest entertainer of] all time… [It is] McGregor.” He even named him the fighter with the best skills on the microphone.

Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have earned a lot of respect from the UFC boss, owing to them drawing large crowds and helping launch the UFC into the mainstream. However, it was still Michael Jordan who won the crown as the best sportsman of all time in White’s book. His balling skills truly earned him the respect of Dana White, but what if the greatest NBA player ever tried his hands on MMA? According to Dana White, Jordan actually would’ve shined as a fighter.

Michael Jordan could’ve made it as a UFC fighter

Michael Jordan has had a great NBA career, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. As a result, he is often recognized as the best basketball player in history. He also tried his hand at baseball, playing Minor League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox before returning to the Bulls in March 1995 and leading them to three more NBA titles.

But how would Jordan have performed as an MMA fighter in the UFC? Well, according to UFC head honcho Dana White, he feels that Jordan might have made it as a fighter and actually excelled at it. During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, he was asked which basketball stars might have made it as UFC fighters. Without wasting much time, he said, “You gotta go with Jordan.” 

He further added, “[I] never met him, don’t know him, don’t want to meet him. I like him too much. I respect him too much. I love his kil–r instinct. [I] don’t want to meet him. [I] respect him to death.” It seems like White is a true fanboy of the Chicago Bulls star. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Jordan actually might’ve had a chance in the UFC’s heavier weight divisions.

Do you agree with Dana White’s claims of Michael Jordan being the greatest athlete of all time? How would the Chicago Bulls legend have fared in the UFC? Let us know in the comments below.