5 reasons why Kamaru Usman is now the welterweight GOAT

The comedown from the electric UFC 268 event still lingers today. One of the bigger takeaways was that Kamaru Usman gave every reason as to why he might be the welterweight (greatest of all time) GOAT. Placed inside New York's Madison Square Garden venue, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' would defend his throne and send Colby Covington away, belt-less, once again.

The UFC welterweight division has housed some absolute greats. Names like BJ Penn, Matt Hughes and, of course, Georges St. Pierre have all competed at 170-pounds in the UFC. A division fraught with contenders, the emerging champions from welterweight have always been crowd-pleasers.

Still, when it comes to determining the very best to compete at welterweight, a comprehensive view of Kamaru Usman's record would have one convinced that he might be the GOAT of 170-pounds. Take a closer look at 5 reasons why Kamaru Usman is now the welterweight GOAT.

#5. Kamaru Usman earned five title defenses in less than three years

Nov. 6, 2021, Kamaru Usman lifted a fifth consecutive title defense after going the distance with Colby Covington at UFC 268. In a rematch stemming from 2019, the welterweight champion reaffirmed his claim to be one of the best 170-pound fighters on the planet. Prior to his rematch with Covington, Usman still had a legitimate right to call himself the welterweight GOAT.

Kamaru Usman was tasked with taking the belt from the heavy hands of Tyron Woodley. At the time, many pegged Woodley as the next fighter to surpass St. Pierre's title defense record (8). While GSP's record holds strong today, Kamaru Usman is right on his tail and has put himself in the discussion for being the welterweight GOAT.

Kamaru Usman defeating Tyron Woodley

The weight of Usman's gold belt continues to increase due to the rubies that he's been adding for each title defense. After his first encounter with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251 on Fight Island in 2020, the champion earned a lucrative unanimous decision. While the victory was decisive, many thought, including Masvidal himself, that the fight was closer than what the scorecards suggested.

After lobbying for a rematch, Jorge Masvdial and Usman would meet once again in front of a packed crowd in Jacksonville, FL. A palpable energy was felt throughout the arena. Kamaru Usman cemented himself as a potential welterweight GOAT after knocking Masvidal out cold in their second title affair.

#4. Kamaru Usman is an active champion

It's rare to see a champion of a UFC weight class be more active than the contenders vying to fight for the gold he carries. However, that seems to be the case for Kamaru Usman. In 2021, Kamaru Usman fought thrice and added another three rubies to his gold strap.

After his first win over Masvidal, Usman fought ex-teammate, Gilbert Burns. The champion fought through adversity after being stunned by the challenger. But the poise of the champion pushed through and found success, just like the power jab that floored Burns. After polishing Burns off with a TKO, Usman set the world on fire with a picture-perfect right-cross to send Masvidal back down the ranks.

Following Usman's second-round knockout of 'Gamebred', all roads were leading to another showdown between Colby Covington. During that stretch of time, Usman acquired three defenses. Covington only fought once, but finished a former champion in the process. 'Chaos' earned a fifth-round TKO win against Tyron Woodley after the bout was called off due to a rib injury.

Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley face off

The champion's activity is a characteristic that many GOATs before him do not possess. While GSP certainly maintains himself as a viable contender among the list, the momentum of Kamaru Usman is hard to dismiss. An active champion, capable of finishing fights, is critical when determining GOAT status.

#3. Kamaru Usman is on a 19-fight unbeaten streak

Excluding his exhibition bouts in The Ultimate Fighter 21 (which he won), Kamaru Usman is approaching record-breaking ground with his 19-fight unbeaten streak. The welterweight champion holds the record for most consecutive victories in the welterweight division at fifteen. If 'The Nigerian Nightmare' can keep racking up records like these, his name will forever be connected to the GOAT status.

Having not lost since 2013, Kamaru Usman's winning streak is impressive given the names he's run into throughout his tenure. In his first official fight with the UFC, the 34-year-old was tasked with facing the now No. 3-ranked welterweight Leon Edwards. Overall, Usman's path to the title was challenging, though detrimental to his future success.

Moving up the ranks, Kamaru Usman was paired with the outspoken Sean Strickland in 2017. The fight went for all three rounds. Usman's Division II All-American wrestling skills proved to be too much for 'Tarzan'. While Strickland now competes at middleweight, the unanimous decision victory Usman earned against him is still an impressive win on his stacked résumé.

When determining the very best at welterweight, the quality of opposition, winning streaks, and activity play a major role. With such a massive winning streak and activity rarely seen from the top echelon of fighters, there is a case to be made for Kamaru Usman being the GOAT at welterweight.

#2. Kamaru Usman is lapping his competition

The well of opponents is beginning to run dry for welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. In fact, at the UFC 268 press conference, the champion even nudged UFC president Dana White to give him a shot at Canelo Alvarez. After his latest title defense against Colby Covington, the champion has now come out successful in two different rivalries.

A rematch is yet to be explored by Kamaru Usman is against Jamaica's Leon Edwards. While the two had danced before, it was Kamaru Usman who would have his hand raised after putting on a wrestling clinic. Meanwhile, Leon Edwards has remained unbeaten since his loss to Usman in 2015 and has strung a 9-fight unbeaten streak together.

Fortunately, at UFC 267, fresh 170-pound blood emerged when Khamzat Chimaev expanded his UFC record to 4-0. However, after breaching the top-ten with a flawless victory against Jingliang Li, Chimaev has a long way to go before he stands across from 'The Nigerian Nightmare'.

Part of what makes Kamaru Usman's reign so imposing is his willingness to mix it up with any welterweight. With a plethora of wins in the UFC, Usman capitalized on fighting up the ladder by studying his challenges. With the assistance of coach Trevor Wittman, it appears Usman is ready to lap another foe if Edwards is truly next in line.

#1. Kamaru Usman is recognized as the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the UFC

Kamaru Usman has become the king of the jungle. Even before his anticipated rematch with Colby Covington, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' was deemed the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter on the roster. While some are critical of that claim, it seems UFC president Dana White is convinced.

Following his victory against Covington at UFC 268, White once again affirmed that Kamaru Usman is the No. 1 pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC. Usman's status is supported by the fact that he has only suffered one professional loss and it was back in 2013 as his second pro bout.

While status is often determined by the public, even heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou agrees with Usman's claim for the No.1 pound-for-pound status. At UFC 261, in front of a sold-out Jacksonville, FL. audience, the heavyweight champion cornered Usman.

Following the spectacular knockout against Masvidal, even Ngannou paid respect to Usman's claim to being the greatest welterweight of all time. Of course, judging a fighter's status is subjective, but with the accolades Usman has collected thus far, his claim as the welterweight GOAT seems more valid than it ever has been.

Do you think Kamaru Usman is the welterweight GOAT?