5 reasons why Georges St-Pierre is still ahead of Kamaru Usman in the UFC welterweight GOAT conversation

#4. The UFC welterweight division was stronger in Georges St-Pierre’s day

Georges St-Pierre had to fight a remarkable number of tough opponents during his UFC title reign

Another reason is the gulf in class between Kamaru Usman's welterweight division and Georges St-Pierre's. Traditionally, along with lightweight, the UFC’s welterweight division has always been one of the promotion’s deeper weight classes.

Where divisions such as heavyweight and light heavyweight have seen peaks and troughs over the years, the standard of welterweights in the UFC has remained remarkably high, but never more so than during the period in which Georges St-Pierre dominated.

GSP was forced to face off with a variety of incredibly dangerous fighters during his UFC career. Some of his opponents, names like Matt Hughes, Jon Fitch and Carlos Condit, would also be considered amongst the UFC’s greatest-ever welterweights.

The fact that St-Pierre was able to hold onto the UFC welterweight title for such a lengthy period of time whilst facing nothing but top-level opponents is a feat largely unmatched by any UFC fighter.

Naturally, that includes Kamaru Usman. The UFC’s welterweight division is not in bad shape right now by any means, but it’s certainly arguable that it was stronger in GSP’s day.

For instance, where St-Pierre largely fought a fresh contender each time out, usually because newer fighters were rising up to knock off his previous victims, Kamaru Usman has been forced to rematch both Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington despite beating them both previously.

The fact that fighters such as Stephen Thompson and Neil Magny remain ranked in the top 10 despite being on the downswing of their careers basically sums up that 170 pounds with Kamaru Usman at the top isn’t quite as strong a division as it was back in GSP’s day.

Overall, Georges St-Pierre arguably knocked off the toughest list of contenders ever seen in the UFC, something that Kamaru Usman, despite his achievements, can’t match right now.

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#3. Georges St-Pierre was more dominant over his opponents than Kamaru Usman

Georges St-Pierre was incredibly dominant over his opponents, even tough ones such as Jon Fitch

Georges St-Pierre often came under criticism for his failure to finish his opponents during his run as UFC welterweight champion. The only finish he pulled off during his nine-fight title run came against B.J. Penn in January 2009. All of his other foes were beaten by decision.

However, to use this as a stick to beat the Canadian with would be ludicrous. Sure, GSP wasn’t a finishing machine, but it’s safe to say that he thoroughly dominated his opponents, often making it look easy in the process.

During his title reign, it’s arguable that no fighter really took a round from him until Carlos Condit in his seventh defense. Realistically, the only man to really push him to a close decision was Johny Hendricks in what was GSP’s final fight at welterweight.

Kamaru Usman is undoubtedly a better finisher than St-Pierre at this stage. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has finished three of his last five bouts via knockout. His finish of Jorge Masvidal was more devastating than anything St-Pierre produced in his entire career.

However, Kamaru Usman is almost certainly not as dominant as GSP was in his prime. He was dropped in his title defense against Gilbert Burns, struggled to deal with Masvidal in their first fight and was taken to his limit by Colby Covington in both of his fights with him.

Kamaru Usman has always found a way to win thus far, something that should mark him out as a truly great champion. However, he hasn’t been quite as dominant as St-Pierre was, which works as another mark for the Canadian in the conversation around who the welterweight GOAT is.