Dana White: UFC champ Chris Weidman is on a Jon Jones type run after defeating 'straight killers'

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White says Chris Weidman's victory over Vitor Belfort at UFC 187 (highlights here) puts him in league with the former pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.

"He's on a Jon Jones-type run right now in the 185-pound division," White said via UFC.com. "The thing is with Jon Jones is that he went four years taking out all the best 205-pounders in the world. Weidman is beating straight killers right now."

White added he expects Weidman's popularity to only grow as his career progresses, and suggested that beating Vitor Belfort is a great career move for any top fighter.

"It takes time," White said. "You look at Anderson Silva and how long it took for him to even resonate. He really blew up after he beat Vitor, so maybe Vitor is the launching pad for all these guys."

Weidman, who improved his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) record to 13-0 with his win over "The Phenom," grabbed the microphone from Joe Rogan after his victory to appeal to those who still don't agree with White.

"Stop doubting me," Weidman said. "It's enough, stop doubting me. Better join the team now because this is my last invitation. I love you."

Of course, all that didn't impress No. 1-ranked contender Luke Rockhold much, who said Weidman's win over "deflated, heartless" Belfort didn't prove anything.

Still, it's always nice to get a vote of confidence from the boss, even if it was in comparison to a guy recently yanked from the UFC rankings and stripped of his title for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident.

Silver lining, right?