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#4. Kamaru Usman is an active champion
It's rare to see a champion of a UFC weight class be more active than the contenders vying to fight for the gold he carries. However, that seems to be the case for Kamaru Usman. In 2021, Kamaru Usman fought thrice and added another three rubies to his gold strap.
After his first win over Masvidal, Usman fought ex-teammate, Gilbert Burns. The champion fought through adversity after being stunned by the challenger. But the poise of the champion pushed through and found success, just like the power jab that floored Burns. After polishing Burns off with a TKO, Usman set the world on fire with a picture-perfect right-cross to send Masvidal back down the ranks.
Following Usman's second-round knockout of 'Gamebred', all roads were leading to another showdown between Colby Covington. During that stretch of time, Usman acquired three defenses. Covington only fought once, but finished a former champion in the process. 'Chaos' earned a fifth-round TKO win against Tyron Woodley after the bout was called off due to a rib injury.
The champion's activity is a characteristic that many GOATs before him do not possess. While GSP certainly maintains himself as a viable contender among the list, the momentum of Kamaru Usman is hard to dismiss. An active champion, capable of finishing fights, is critical when determining GOAT status.
#3. Kamaru Usman is on a 19-fight unbeaten streak
Excluding his exhibition bouts in The Ultimate Fighter 21 (which he won), Kamaru Usman is approaching record-breaking ground with his 19-fight unbeaten streak. The welterweight champion holds the record for most consecutive victories in the welterweight division at fifteen. If 'The Nigerian Nightmare' can keep racking up records like these, his name will forever be connected to the GOAT status.
Having not lost since 2013, Kamaru Usman's winning streak is impressive given the names he's run into throughout his tenure. In his first official fight with the UFC, the 34-year-old was tasked with facing the now No. 3-ranked welterweight Leon Edwards. Overall, Usman's path to the title was challenging, though detrimental to his future success.
Moving up the ranks, Kamaru Usman was paired with the outspoken Sean Strickland in 2017. The fight went for all three rounds. Usman's Division II All-American wrestling skills proved to be too much for 'Tarzan'. While Strickland now competes at middleweight, the unanimous decision victory Usman earned against him is still an impressive win on his stacked résumé.
When determining the very best at welterweight, the quality of opposition, winning streaks, and activity play a major role. With such a massive winning streak and activity rarely seen from the top echelon of fighters, there is a case to be made for Kamaru Usman being the GOAT at welterweight.
