Conor McGregor is currently retired but many expect him to fight again. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Dana White snubs Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor on 'UFC Mount Rushmore'

Was UFC boss Dana White trying to send a message to Conor McGregor during a recent appearance on "The Schmozone Podcast?"

As Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting wrote, White gave fans a glimpse of his mixed martial arts G.O.A.T. power rankings when asked who he would place on his Mount Rushmore.

"If you’re talking about a Mount Rushmore where the heads are carved in stone forever, you have to go Royce Gracie," White said. "No-brainer, have to do that. Amanda Nunes. Has to be Amanda Nunes, greatest female fighter ever. The other two are tough."

Nobody can have any real argument over those selections. Gracie's contributions to the sport are immeasurable and go beyond the UFC. Nunes, who holds belts in two weight classes, essentially cleaned out the women's bantamweight and featherweight divisions following her dominant victory over Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 on June 6.

White gave the other two spots on his personal mountain to Jon Jones and Chuck Liddell.

Jones, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, is arguably the most talented fighter to ever compete in the octagon. However, he repeatedly found himself in trouble for notorious and avoidable incidents during what should've been his physical prime, and critics may suggest "Bones" made a mockery of UFC and USADA anti-doping policies for years.

Liddell is a huge name and legend of the sport, but Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports recently speculated Liddell isn't even in the top five as it pertains to drawing power. Iole added that McGregor is, without a doubt, the biggest draw in UFC and MMA history. The outspoken Irishman was also the promotion's first two-division champion.

It's possible the general public wouldn't know Nunes had Ronda Rousey not created the path for women to earn main-event spots on top-tier MMA shows. After Rousey became the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, White said:

"There would be no women in UFC without Ronda Rousey. Ronda is an absolute pioneer who helped me personally, and a lot of other people, look at women in combat sports differently. She accomplished everything she set out to do with UFC and became a global icon and role model in the process. Today, the women’s divisions are packed with incredibly talented fighters and they produce some of the best fights you’ll ever see. We’re proud to announce Ronda as the first woman to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame."

Rousey, 33, last fought in December 2016 and probably isn't returning to the UFC. McGregor, 31, is enjoying his latest retirement, but most who cover and comment on the sport believe he'll compete later this year if presented the right fight at the right price. 

Were either McGregor or Rousey snubbed? Do both belong on a UFC Mount Rushmore? Did White get it right? 

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