The wins keep on piling up for Kamaru
Usman, who is entering rarified air with his extended streak of
excellence.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” improved to 2-0 against Colby
Covington in the UFC 268 headliner, earning a unanimous
decision triumph at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday
night. Usman has now won 15 straight fights in UFC competition, the
second-longest winning streak in promotion history behind
pound-for-pound middleweight legend Anderson
Silva (16).
UFC president Dana White believes Usman belongs in the lofty
company among the sport’s greats after his latest triumph.
“He’s special. He’s damn good and I think he’s the greatest
welterweight of all time,” White said at the UFC 268 post-fight
press conference.
“He’s obviously the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right
now. He’s one of the guys that we could all start arguing soon
about GOAT status. And he’s fighting everybody, it’s not like he’s
only fought this guy. He’s fought everybody and he’s starting to
come back a second time around and beat guys.”
White can envision a scenario in which Usman surpasses Silva’s
record by a wide margin. At 34 years old, the reigning welterweight
champion still appears to have plenty left in the tank. It’s worth
noting that Usman has a way to go before he can surpass Georges St.
Pierre’s 13 victories in UFC title bouts. Currently, Usman has
six.
“I think you just keep winning and you get the record so far apart
that nobody is going to ever break it,” White said. “Anderson
Silva, if you look at the 20 years he did 16 and this kid could
do what? I don’t know 18, 20. How much longer does he want to
fight? We’ll see.”