Morning Report: Georges St-Pierre reminds Kamaru Usman to stay focused: ‘There’s a lot of guys that can beat Usman’
Georges St-Pierre knows better than anyone else in MMA history what it’s like to sit atop the welterweight division. Currently occupying the throne in the UFC is none other than Kamaru Usman.
Widely regarded as not just the greatest fighter of all time at welterweight, but the greatest fighter of all-time overall, St-Pierre’s lone competition in that discussion over recent years has been the continually impressive Usman. “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” last title defense was his fifth and saw him extend the record for most consecutive wins in the division with 15, which was previously held by St-Pierre at 13.
Usman’s last fight was largely considered to have come against his toughest possible opponent, Colby Covington. Regardless of the challenge, Usman walked away on top for the second time in their rivalry when earning a unanimous decision. Going forward, the champion has voiced plenty of interest in facing boxing’s pound-for-pound kingpin, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the ring. But as his fellow legend knows, you can’t get distracted in the game of combat.
“I believe there’s a lot of guys that can beat Usman,” St-Pierre told MMA News. “I do believe personally Usman is the best right now in the division but that doesn’t mean he is invincible. He needs to always stay on top of the game. It’s hard to be champion and it’s even harder to stay champion. I’m sure if you ask Usman, he’ll tell you the same thing.
“He’s on a tear right now, he looks phenomenal but there’s a lot of guys that can give him a lot of trouble like Khamzat Chimaev. Leon Edwards, maybe. Usman so far has been a puzzle that no one is able to solve. He’s incredible but he needs to stay focused to make sure he never underestimates nobody and trains for every fight like it’s the hardest fight he’s ever had.”
“GSP” managed to do what most in MMA haven’t been able to do, which is going out on top. Ruling the 170-pound weight class for essentially his entire career up until his swan song, St-Pierre overcame early setbacks against Matt Hughes and Matt Serra before rounding out his game, avenging his losses, and never tasting defeat ever again. As a result, the Canadian closed out his illustrious career with a second divisional title when submitting Michael Bisping after a four-year layoff in their 2017 showdown.
“Nobody’s invincible, everybody can be beat,” St-Pierre said of Usman. “It’s not the best fighter that wins the fight very often. It’s the question about the fighter that fights the best the night of the fight and there’s a lot of things that can influence the result of a fight.”
TOP STORIES
Patience. Coach admits he was upset that Khamzat Chimaev brawled with Gilbert Burns.
Beef. T.J. Dillashaw blasts ‘not champion caliber’ Aljamain Sterling as ‘a pretty easy fight for me;’ Sterling fires back.
GOATs. Tom Aspinall explains why Georges St-Pierre the ‘greatest UFC fighter of all time,’ says Stipe Miocic is the best heavyweight.
Explanation. Ben Rothwell reveals why he asked for his release from UFC.
Frustration. Mike Jackson calls Dean Barry a ‘dirty cheating motherf******’ following disqualification, believes eye gouge was ‘intentional.’
Nope. Nate Diaz rips UFC once again for not booking him, declines Conor McGregor trilogy bout because ‘he sucks.’
VIDEO STEW
Crowning Moment: Justin Gaethje Stuns Tony Ferguson.
UFC Vegas 53: Fighters You Should Know.
Israel Adesanya and Michael Venom Page Link Up In London.
Khamzat Chimaev talks about Mike Tyson, Canelo vs. Beterbiev.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Anthony Taylor and discusses interest levels in Henry Cejudo’s comeback, and Nate Diaz’s future.
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Joe Lauzon and Mike Jackson.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Steps.
This isn’t a win it’s a step
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) April 26, 2022
Kai + AlJo!
アルジャメインと会った pic.twitter.com/UsVscx4npi
— 朝倉 海 Kai Asakura (@kai_1031_) April 26, 2022
Hardy speaks.
Heather Hardy @HeatherHardyBox talks about the struggles of women boxing and the significance of #TaylorSerrano pic.twitter.com/GXKUxvYAoT
— Boxing Insider.com (@BoxingInsider) April 26, 2022
Relatable.
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) April 26, 2022
Classic.
One of the best one-round fights
— UFC (@ufc) April 26, 2022
[ @AndreiArlovski | #UFCVegas53 | Saturday | LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/SVRDlVdtyt
Canelo is confused.
who the fuck is this? https://t.co/ThN5aMcUoW
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) April 26, 2022
PLEASE.
Should be 5 or not?? I’m willing to do 5 rounds for my fans ❣️ @ufc @danawhite https://t.co/NXTfXialSi
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) April 26, 2022
Oh.
Idk the consequences of uploading random streams of my consciousness for the algorithms and future generations to see but fuck it let’s see
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) April 27, 2022
@ufc did me dirTy AF
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) April 27, 2022
Off to Singapore?
Asia I’m gonna be back !!!
— マネル・ケイプ Manel Kape (@ManelKape) April 27, 2022
Happy birthday to one of the GOATs!
昨日は良いお誕生日でした ☺️ pic.twitter.com/ez8wjODc1q
— 藤井惠 Megumi Fujii (@MegaMeguCat) April 27, 2022
Happy birthday to @MegaMeguCat !! Here's an example of her insane grappling against a future UFC champion in Carla Esparza. pic.twitter.com/8VIlvVMupA
— Charlie (@CJ_SogoKaku) April 26, 2022
It was pretty solid.
.@ShakurStevenson's reaction to @Tyson_Fury's homecoming KO is EVERYTHING
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 27, 2022
Real Time Ep. 1 ➡️ https://t.co/nMeZOFAyC5 pic.twitter.com/0TnESfwyW3
Well, would you?
Would you watch this fight?
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 27, 2022
Vc assistiria essa luta? @NateDiaz209 @danawhite @ufc pic.twitter.com/cGrF8lgdBt
Patience...
Stipe is saying that he will be at his absolute peak in September. I’m disappointed but patient, I want the heavyweight goat at his absolute best. I’ll wait until September. No excuses
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 26, 2022
That’s some rather vigorous handshaking, gentlemen.
Solid view.
Mr. Tommy Aspinall...
Time sure flies.
Seems like yesterday https://t.co/TisGf4xdzJ
— michael (@bisping) April 27, 2022
UFC Japan representin’.
村主さん！会えて嬉しかったです！
— 村田夏南子 KanakoMurata (@m_r_t_k_n_k) April 27, 2022
Great to see youです！ pic.twitter.com/Q6h4tLjnml
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lorenz Larkin (23-7, 1 NC) vs. Kyle Stewart (15-5); Bellator 280, May 6
Paul Daley (43-18-2) vs. Wendell Giacomo (9-2); Bellator 281, May 13
Joe Solecki (11-3) vs. Alex da Silva (21-3); UFC Fight Night, June 4
Abdul Razak Alhassan (11-5) vs. Jamie Pickett (13-7); UFC Fight Night, July 9
FINAL THOUGHTS
Late happy birthday to the real G.O.A.T., the one and only Megumi Fujii! Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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