The UFC is often lauded for its star-making machine, and criticized for not turning it on for certain fighters. But the simple fact is that you go fishing where there are fish – the UFC promotes fighters that have already raised a buzz among the MMA fanbase, and beyond it. For some fighters, there’s more buzz than is merited by their accomplishments, and for some, there’s less. Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman falls in the latter category.
In the main event of UFC 258 on Saturday, Usman successfully defended his belt for the third time, dispatching Gilbert Burns early in Round 3, and pushing his league win streak in the division to a record 13 which edges out Georges St-Pierre. At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White called for recognition of “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” greatness.
The kid’s the real deal, said White. He breaks GSP’s consecutive win streak record tonight. 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.
Listen, this guy’s got nothing but badass dudes lined up. If he doesn’t have the respect now, he should have got it after the [Colby] Covington fight. I can’t stop talking about the Covington fight. One of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen. Anybody who didn’t respect him after that, that’s your problem, not his.
The people that know — know. For anybody to say that Usman’s not, you don’t know anything about fighting. That’s OK. You just jump in and you like to watch it because it’s the thing to do and Conor’s fighting or this guy’s fighting but if you know anything about fighting and you don’t think Usman is, you really don’t know anything about fighting.
What’s going to happen is, if you look at all the guys lined up that he has to fight next, and he keeps doing what he’s doing, we’re all going to pop our heads up one day and start talking GOAT. If this guy can continue. It’s not just how you’re fighting and winning, it’s who you’re fighting. This guy has nothing but straight killers in that division that he has to get through and possibly twice some of them.
So when does Usman get major endorsement deals with major brands?
I think that’s been the big topic of discussion here tonight, said White. At what point do those type of people start to recognize Kamaru Usman and how good he is and he’s a good guy. He’s well spoken, good family guy, he’s a great dad to his daughter. He’s got an unbelievable backstory. Dresses really well, too.
He’s the whole package. The guy’s got the whole thing. It’s just when are people going to notice?
UG, how do you view Usman, and what will it take for him to become a breakout star?
h/t Damon Martin for MMA FIghting
