JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dana White had high praise for [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] following his second-round knockout of Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261.
At the post-fight news conference Saturday, the UFC president simplified things. Whether you boo him or cheer him, Usman (19-1 MMA, 14-0 UFC) is on his way to becoming the greatest of all time, White thinks.
“I think we can all agree,” White told MMA Junkie. “No matter how you feel, the guy is getting booed in there tonight, (but) he’s one of the best ever. He’s on his way to probably being the greatest of all time. I mean, the guy is an absolute stud. He looks better every time he comes out.”
During his rise up the ranks, Usman was viewed by some as a boring fighter. Even White, at times, wasn’t thrilled with the fashion he was winning some of his fights – especially his bout against Emil Meek, in which Usman claimed he only fought to 30 percent of his potential.
However, Usman has three of his four title defenses by TKO, including Colby Covington, with whom he engaged in a “Fight of the Year” candidate in 2019. White likes the transformation he’s seen.
“These people talk about him being boring,” White said. “You’re an idiot. You’re an idiot if you think this guy is boring. He hasn’t been in a boring fight in a while. He changed after he gave that whole, ‘I only gave 30 percent tonight thing.’ He’s been a different human being ever since the (Rafael dos Anjos) fight.”
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Usman, 33, has not since his second professional fight in May 2013. On Saturday, he extended his winning streak to 18, which includes two victories over Masvidal and solo wins against Covington (who he is expected to rematch next), Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, Rafael dos Anjos, Demian Maia, and others.
UFC 261 took place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The main card streamed on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+.
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