When Kamaru Usman sets foot in the octagon at UFC 278 on Saturday, he’ll be looking for a sixth consecutive title defense while also attempting to extend his unprecedented UFC winning streak to 16 consecutive fights.
While a win over Leon Edwards would still leave him three title defenses behind Georges St-Pierre for the all-time record at welterweight, UFC President Dana White argues “The Nigerian Nightmare” has already cemented himself as the best-ever at 170 pounds.
“Look at what he’s done,” White told The Jim Rome Show. “He’s never lost here. He’s lapping guys in that division. He’s on his way to GOAT status. The guy’s going to be in the conversation. This Saturday if he wins, he breaks Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive title defenses, and then he has be talked about with Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, GSP.
“He is undoubtedly the greatest welterweight ever. There’s no doubt about it. He’s setting a new record by looking at who he has fought and against whom he has defended his title. He’s the greatest welterweight ever. You start to talk about Saturday as one of the best welterweights ever .”
It’s a subjective discussion, however, Usman certainly did his part by sitting beside St-Pierre in the list of achievements of the division.
Usman is currently ahead of St-Pierre in terms of his UFC win percentage. He hasn’t experienced defeat in the Octagon. He has only suffered one loss so far in his career. It was in his second professional fight in 2013..
Of course, St-Pierre still holds records for the most wins in welterweight title fights at 12, the most wins in the entire division with 19. After his retirement, he will be a UFC Hall of Famer.
For his part, Edwards won’t try to diminish Usman’s record ahead of their fight because he likes the idea of beating a champion so many consider one of the best to ever do it.
That said, the 30-year-old welterweight from England still puts St-Pierre on top of his all-time great list even if his reasons might be a little more selfish.
” I’d likely go with Georges,” Edwards said to The Fighter vs. The Writer. Georges was my favorite character growing up, and I think that would make me edge him. He’s never been an opponent of mine. If it was skill for skill, then I would probably choose Georges.
“At this moment, I just see [Usman] as an opponent. His resume is not something I compare with Georges. It’s not something I really thought about. He’s good at what he does. Five fights have been fought to defend his belt. Even all of his rematches were lost. He went out and did the right thing to win .”
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One thing is certain: Edwards believes a victory over Usman would finally win him some respect in relation to the ongoing debate about who is the best fighter pound for pound.
“When I do go out there and beat him, you’ve got to put me up in the pound-for-pound [rankings] if that’s the case,” Edwards said. “If you consider him the pound-for-pound [best] and I go out there and starch him, I feel I’ll be up there as well.”
Following an arduous journey to finally arrive at the title shot, Edwards isn’t allowing the moment to weigh on him too much. Although he respects all that Usman did, he believes the champ’s time at the top of the division will be over on Saturday.
“This feels like I belong here,” Edwards said. “I don’t feel anxious, I don’t feel nervous. I feel like I truly belong here. This is the place I have been waiting for, and I feel like it has come true. It’s something I have visualized for many years. Saturday Night will be the day.
” In a perfect world I could knock him out and sub him out quickly. He can be choked out. By decision, I am able to win. Anywhere the fight goes, I’m comfortable. I’m comfortable wherever the fight takes me. I am ready to travel wherever the fight takes me. I’m not going in there thinking I’m only going to strike with him. I’m going in there thinking I am going to beat you by any means necessary and that’s my mentality going into the fight.”
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