Kamaru Usman Discusses Perceived Disrespect in P4P Rankings, Potential Fight vs. GSP

Despite a 17-fight winning streak that includes 13 triumphs in the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, Kamaru Usman was feeling a little bit overlooked after UFC 258.

After defeating former teammate Gilbert Burns by third-round technical knockout in Saturday’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, “The Nigerian Nightmare” issued a demand for respect that he feels he hasn’t received as of yet in his career. In particular, Usman pointed to pound-for-pound rankings, where he feels he has been slighted.

“That pound-for-pound list is not a popularity contest, you know? I haven’t really lost rounds in here – I control what goes on inside the cage,” he said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “Just because I’m not the loudest guy in the room, I’m not the most braggadocious, I don’t get in trouble outside [the cage], I’m not in headlines all the time.

“Let’s be honest, they kind of disrespect me in a sense. That pound-for-pound list is not a popularity contest. I need to move up on that list.”

UFC 258 marked Usman’s fourth victory in a welterweight title fight, and his 13 straight wins at 170 pounds surpassed Georges St. Pierre for the longest streak in the history of the division. St. Pierre retired in 2018 but has recently been linked to Khabib Nurmagomedov, although a fight between the two doesn’t appear likely to come to fruition.

Usman wouldn’t mind a chance to test himself against the 39-year-old Canadian, who is widely regarded as the welterweight GOAT. For Usman, it’s more about testing himself than earning a lucrative payday.

“Of course, I would like Georges. But I don’t want Georges because of money or anything like that. Like I said, I’m a competitor. I want Georges because Georges left on top. Georges can still do it. I see him training. Georges, I’m watching you. I see you training. Georges can still do it.

“So, if there’s potential for that big fight and Georges wants to come back, then of course, Georges can cut the line, absolutely. But I’m not necessarily worried about a big-money fight. Right now, I’m just worried about the next guy, and that’s what I do. I knock off the next guy and I knock off the next guy, then you guys look back and say, ‘[Expletive]! He’s beaten everybody!’ That’s what I’m focused on.”