Is Kamaru Usman the Welterweight Goat of UFC

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman stands at the pinnacle of the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. He will look to defend his welterweight gold in a much-anticipated rematch against Colby Covington at UFC 268. The bout at Madison Square Garden will mark his fifth title defense.

Many fans and fighters consider ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ one of the best welterweights of all time. However, there are several others that suggest he has yet to earn the GOAT tag.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria enters the octagon during the UFC 245 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

So ahead of his one of the biggest rematches in the UFC, let us compare Usman’s career to one who has already earned the GOAT tag, i.e. Georges St-Pierre.

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How close is Kamaru Usman to becoming the GOAT?

Georges St-Pierre, one of the most dominant fighters to enter the UFC octagon, had a glorious professional fighting career of 26-3. ‘Rush’ secured 14 finishes (eight knockout wins and six submissions). Out of his three defeats, two came in the UFC.

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Georges St-Pierre of Canada prepares to enter the Octagon prior to facing Michael Bisping of England in their UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 217 event inside Madison Square Garden on November 4, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

GSP became the UFC welterweight champion by defeating Matt Hughes in 2006. However, he lost the title but regained it after unifying his interim title at UFC 83. At welterweight, ‘Rush’ made a total of nine title defenses. After retirement, he made a return at middleweight and became a two-division world champion.

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Kamaru Usman has a 19-1 record and is undefeated in the UFC. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has already surpassed a few of GSP’s records.

After beating Jorge Masvidal, he surpassed GSP’s thirteen-fight record. Furthermore, he just needs seven more wins to get past St-Pierre’s 21 UFC wins.

If ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ wins at UFC 268, he will be just four defenses away from breaking GSP’s record.

While there is no doubt that Usman’s opponents have been bigger draws and much sterner fighters, the numbers hand ‘GSP the advantage in the welterweight GOAT debate.

That said, as GSP has retired from the UFC, he cannot improve on the same. Meanwhile, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is still active, and considering his current form, he has the potential to reach or even surpass all the GSP’s records to become the welterweight GOAT.

While he might be one of the greatest currently, he has yet to earn the all-time welterweight GOAT status.

Who, according to you, is the welterweight GOAT? Let us know in the comments below.

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