Dana White Draws Stunning Muhammad Ali And Michael Jordan Comparisons for UFC Stars

Dana White, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali (Photo by Imagn)

Dana White Draws Stunning Muhammad Ali And Michael Jordan Comparisons for UFC Stars

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated May 23, 2026 5:06 AM ET

Dana White doesn’t deal in small comparisons. The UFC president recently went there, placing two of his biggest stars alongside the most iconic names in sports history. And he didn’t flinch while doing it. He compared Conor McGregor to Muhammad Ali and called Jon Jones the Michael Jordan of MMA.

White said McGregor is like MMA’s Muhammad Ali because of how famous and exciting he became. He also called Jones the Michael Jordan of MMA. White praised Jones for staying undefeated for so many years and fighting in different weight classes while still beating everybody put in front of him.

“We have a guy named Conor McGregor, who I would say is like our Muhammad Ali, but if you were looking for your Michael Jordan, it would be Jon Jones. Jon Jones is in his 40s now, he’s undefeated still. He’s never been beaten, and he’s moved up and down weight classes,” White said.

Dana White: We have a guy named Conor McGregor, who I would say is like our Muhammad Ali, but if you were looking for your Michael Jordan, it would be Jon Jones.pic.twitter.com/j7L1zh1pL0
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 22, 2026

Both comparisons will spark debate, and that’s probably the point. But strip away the noise, and White is making a serious argument. Indeed, MMA has produced figures whose impact extends beyond the sport itself, as did Ali and Jordan. Love them or hate them, both made people pay attention to MMA who never would have otherwise.

Ilia Topuria Reacts to Dana White’s Announcement of Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway

Topuria isn’t just watching the McGregor-Holloway rematch. He’s already thinking past it. The lightweight champion made his prediction clear that McGregor will get the win at UFC 329 on July 11 against Holloway. According to him, if the Irishman keeps winning and continues moving forward, a fight between them could become a real possibility in the future.

“I think Conor is going to win… if he wins and he has one more fight, we could end up having that fight,” Topuria.

Ilia Topuria thinks Conor McGregor will beat Max Holloway:

“I think Conor is going to win… if he wins and he has one more fight, we could end up having that fight [me vs Conor].”

(via @CCLegaspi) pic.twitter.com/oAY0RzqPUv
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 22, 2026

But before any of that, McGregor has to get through Holloway first. It won’t be easy. Their first meeting back in 2013 was a different story. McGregor outclassed a 21-year-old Holloway, who was still raw and finding his footing in the sport. The fighter coming to UFC 329 is a two-time champion who has spent many years becoming one of the best fighters in the world.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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