Dana White: Kamaru Usman ‘without a doubt the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world right now’

With an undefeated UFC record that includes 14 consecutive wins and four title defenses, Kamaru Usman has separated himself from the pack when it comes to the debate about the best current pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.

That’s according to UFC President Dana White, who praised Usman as the best fighter on the planet right now after wiping out almost every contender in the 170-pound division over the past few years.

As much as White might change his pick for this particular accolade, it’s hard to argue against Usman cementing himself in that top spot considering the run he’s had over the past six years in the UFC.

“When you talk about Usman — Usman is without a doubt the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world right now,” White said when talking about the UFC welterweight champion during an interview with TSN ahead of UFC 266 this weekend.

When it comes to Usman’s accomplishments, White says it’s not just about the wins he’s been amassing over the past few years but the devastating manner that he’s been delivering his victories.

Usman has finished three of his past four opponents by knockout or TKO, including a vicious finish of Jorge Masvidal in his most recent outing. He also broke Colby Covington’s jaw in their first meeting back in 2018.

“I mean when you look at what this guy has done and how he’s done it,” White said about Usman. “Not just who he’s fought but what he’s done to the people he’s fought.

“[Jorge] Masvidal twice, Gilbert Burns, Colby Covington, Tyron Woodley, [Rafael dos Anjos], [Demian] Maia, Leon Edwards. Pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.”

Usman also sits atop the men’s pound-for-pound rankings in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings with all eight panelists giving him first place votes.

Of course, White has come a long way with his opinion on Usman, especially after he ripped the future welterweight champion for some post fight comments he made shortly before competing for the title.

Back in 2018 after Usman dispatched Emil Meek by unanimous decision, he said he won the fight using only 30 percent of his actual abilities, which was due to a litany of injuries suffering during a tough training camp.

White erupted after the event when addressing Usman and his 30 percent comment.

“You don’t jump up and start acting like you knocked somebody out and say you only went 30 percent,” White said at the time. “So what’s that mean? What if you’re on pay-per-view? Do you use 60 percent?

“It’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard somebody say, and you’re getting booed out of the arena on top of it.”

Obviously, White’s opinion on Usman and his fighting style has changed drastically since that moment as he now considers the welterweight champion the gold standard when it comes to the best of the best in the UFC.

Check out White’s full interview below, courtesy of TSN.