Take an elite wrestler, train in him effective striking, you’ve possibly got the pound-for-pond best fighter on the planet.
Pound-for-pound ranking is a way to level fighters by determining who is the best fighter if they fought at the same weight, and I don’t think anyone beats Kamaru Usman right now.
Embed from Getty Images“Y’all said you wanted violence. You’re welcome,” exclaimed Usman, having just knocked out Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 to defend his UFC Lightweight Championship.
Usman is a phenomenal talent. A professional record of 19 wins and 1 loss, Usman is currently on an 18-fight winning streak.
Usman should’ve been on the 2012 US wrestling Olympic team, but injuries forced him to start a career in MMA. He used his wrestling acumen to climb the UFC rankings, beating the likes of Leon Edwards, Demian Maia and former champion Rafael Dos Anjos.
This gave Usman a title shot against Tyron Woodley, where he dominated Woodley like no one had before, and ever since, Woodley hasn’t been the same fighter.
He then faced Colby Covington is his first defence of his title, arguably the best pressure fighter in the UFC. Usman then engaged in a high paced striking contest, and scored a final-round TKO, breaking Covington’s jaw in the process.
Embed from Getty ImagesUsman defended the title against former teammate Gilbert Burns. A second-degree black belt on a six-fight win streak. Usman faced adversity in the first round, but came back with a surge and scored a huge knock out in the third round.
Usman is an active champion, as two months on from beating Burns, he knocked out Jorge Masvidal this past weekend. Masvidal is a technical striker who hasn’t been finished in 12 years. Darren Till and Stephen Thompson couldn’t knock out Masvidal.
Usman did, emphatically.
“I know with my fundamental I am the pound-for-pound best fighter right now,” exclaimed Usman, moments after his latest win.
But there is one fighter in contention of being ranked pound-for-pound number one currently, Jon Jones.
Boasting a record of 26 wins and one loss, a disqualification 12 years ago, his last 15 fights have all been title fights. So why are people doubting his greatness?
Doping.
Jones will forever be tainted with failed drugs tests during his career, with critics questioning whether he’s taken PED’s before without being caught. We know he’s hidden from officials trying to take a drugs test before in 2016.
Embed from Getty ImagesJon Jones almost lost his last fight against Dominick Reyes. Many critics thought Reyes should have won on decision, even UFC President Dana White thought Reyes won. But he uncovered holes in Jones’ striking game, which Usman could exploit. That’s if Usman even decided to strike with Jones, if it was on the ground, it would be no-contest.
Usman has been fighting the best Welterweights the UFC has got to offer. On his current 18-fight streak, Usman can boast beating two former champions, some of the best strikers, wrestlers, and grapplers. He’s done it with ease, and he’s only getting better.
