UFC 320 star Cory Sandhagen had an interesting pick for his country’s all-time best.
When it comes to the always polarizing UFC GOAT debate, the leading contender has long been Jon Jones.
Not many have built the kind of résumé that ‘Bones’ has on MMA’s biggest stage, and because of that the Rochester native is often among the first names listed on fans and fighters’ MMA Mount Rushmore.
But there are still many who do not see Jones as the greatest, often citing his failed drug tests as their reasoning. More than that, Sandhagen does not even see the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champ as the best America has to offer.
Cory Sandhagen picks Chuck Liddell as the greatest American fighter over Jon Jones
Sandhagen will challenge Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320 this Saturday, as the Colorado native looks to become the latest US fighter to win gold in the sport’s leading promotion.
During fight week, ‘The Sandman’ played a game of ‘The Best’ with TNT Sports. He named the leading figure in a number of categories, from the best fighter in the UFC right now to the best trash talker in the game.
One of the topics that drew out an interesting answer from Sandhagen was the best American fighter of all time. While many would no doubt automatically pick Jones, the 33-year-old instead chose the legendary Chuck Liddell.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion is widely credited as being among the leading MMA pioneers and was inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame back in 2009.
With that answer in mind, it was no surprise that ‘Bones’ was also snubbed when Sandhagen named middleweight great Anderson Silva as his GOAT pick.
Dana White predicted to ‘cave in’ to Jon Jones’ White House request
Despite retiring just a few months ago, Jones wants to be part of a huge national celebration in 2026.
As the UFC prepares to celebrate 250 years of American independence with an event on the White House lawn, debate over who should headline the occasion rages on.
Conor McGregor insists he will be fighting, and while Dana White has green-lit the Irishman for the show, he’s publicly rejected Jones’ plea to come back for the event.
The UFC CEO cited the light heavyweight legend’s unreliability as the reason for dismissing his return plan, but Henry Cejudo predicts White will “cave in” to Jones.
“USA vs England…and I do believe that Jon Jones takes out Tom Aspinall within the first championship round,” Henry Cejudo said on his Pound 4 Pound podcast.
“This should be the main event. Of course (over McGregor). Conor McGregor’s a felon, bro. I’d be surprised he’s even gonna be walking inside the damn White House.
“It should be that way (Jones headlining) just based on merit,” he continued. “President Dana White is gonna cave in, bro…and he’s gonna give Jon Jones that opportunity.”