UFC president Dana White couldn’t think more highly of Kamaru Usman following the welterweight champion’s successful title defense at UFC 258.
Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) recorded an impressive third-round TKO of Gilbert Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in Saturday night’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, setting a record for the longest winning streak in welterweight history with his 13th consecutive triumph.
That record was previously held by Georges St-Pierre, leading to comparisons comparison’s between Usman and the future UFC Hall of Famer.
In White’s opinion, Usman’s legacy is already in line to surpass that of St-Pierre (26-2 MMA, 20-2 UFC), and he thinks it might not be long until that happens.
“He just broke his record tonight,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC 258. “If you look at what he just did, he broke his record tonight for consecutive wins (in the welterweight division), and if this guy keeps rolling, if Usman can keep doing what he’s doing, he’s going to go down as the greatest welterweight ever. Fact.
“Just look at who he’s fought and who he has to fight here in the future, it’s undeniable that this guy will go down as the best welterweight. The question is, where will he go down in the history of the sport?”
Although he’s been nothing short of dominant throughout his UFC career, Usman’s name has yet to truly resonate. A performance like what “The Nigerian Nightmare” displayed against Burns could be a moment that turns the corner, and White thinks it’s high time Usman gets his complete and proper due.
“The kid’s the real deal,” White said. “For the people that know, for the people that actually know about fighting, they know that this win tonight was a big deal over a very motivated, well trained, mentally tough, confident, badass kid.
“This guy’s got nothing but badass dudes lined up ahead. If he doesn’t have the respect now, he should’ve got it after the Covington fight. I can’t stop talking about the Covington fight. One of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen. Anyone who didn’t respect him after that? That’s your problem, not his.”
Dana White: ‘It’s undeniable’ Kamaru Usman will pass Georges St-Pierre as welterweight GOAT
