‘Complicated’ UFC champ among ESPN’s Top 100 athletes of the 21st century — and it’s not Conor McGregor

ESPN recently ranked the Top 100 professional athletes of the 21st century.

If you don’t know how centuries work, the period of eligibility is from Jan. 1, 2000 through July 1, 2024. Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones landed at No. 66, along with a link to a separate ESPN article reminding you of his “complicated” legacy in MMA.

I guess that’s one way to put it (here’s another).

ESPN ranking, courtesy of Andreas Hale:

After becoming the youngest fighter to win a UFC championship in 2011, Jones went dominant on a litany of Hall of Fame caliber fighters for the next four years, with impressive wins over the likes of Daniel Cormier, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort and Rashad Evans. Not only did he beat them, but he did so by playing to his opponent’s strengths and then running roughshod over them. The resume is undeniable, and the accolades are still piling up.

The assault charges are still piling up, as well.

Brett Okamoto was charged with St-Pierre’s writeup.

but made this one instead).

Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. (25), Manny Pacquiao (71), and Bernard Hopkins (78) also made the “Top 100” list for their contributions (and success) in the “sweet science.” Like Jones, Mayweather Jr. has also faced criticism for his legal troubles outside the ring.

Troubles as in “domestic violence.”

rehabbing a torn pectoral muscle and is expected to make his Octagon return at some point later this year. As for St-Pierre, 43, he retired from competition after capturing the middleweight title from Michael Bisping back in late 2017.