The pound-for-pound rankings debate in the UFC has become a hot topic, notably after Dana White claimed Jon Jones is number one over Islam Makhachev. Alex Pereira’s recent victory put him at number two over Jones, forcing Kamaru Usman, the former pound-for-pound king, to question the Brazilian’s credentials. The Nigerian has now doubled down on it.
“Yes, you can stand and knock everybody out—guys who aren’t moving, guys who aren’t shooting on you, guys who aren’t testing your grappling. But that doesn’t mean you’re number one pound-for-pound. So, don’t be upset about that, don’t be butt hurt about it,” Usman said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, urging Alex Pereira to prove him wrong.
“Go out there, take the next guy down, get on top, full mount, switch up, armbar on top. That would let me know, ‘Oh, okay, that’s [pound-for-pound],'” Usman added. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was the pound-for-pound king when he was the long-reigning welterweight champion. Hence, the 37-year-old has a say in who should be pound-for-pound.
Usman Critiques Shakur Stevenson’s Response to Critics
Pereira was not the only one who received advice from Kamaru Usman. The Nigerian Nightmare had some words of wisdom for Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion. Stevenson’s recent victory over Artem Harutyunyan received a negative response, and the boxer vehemently went off at the critics, which Usman seemed not to appreciate.
“I honestly believe that you might be one of the best boxers right now. The art of boxing is to be able to hit and not get hit, and you might be one of the best at that. But as far as putting the entertainment component on it, that’s just the place where you struggle a little bit right now,” Kamaru Usman said, urging the 27-year-old to put his money where his mouth is.
“You just need to tweak it a little bit to where you can put the entertainment component behind it, so you can start commanding the money that you deserve, that you feel you deserve, that you want. So that’s all it is. It’s okay to be sensitive. You should be. You’re an artist; be sensitive about what you’re doing. That means you care,” Usman advised Stevenson, urging them not to respond to critics on X.
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Will Stevenson heed the advice? Likely not. The promotional free agent seems to double down on his words, awaiting a massive offer. Has his recent victory warranted a gigantic contract? Only time will tell.
Also Read Anthony Joshua’s Advice for Alex Pereira Sparks Heated Debate With Magomed Ankalaev
