MMA Fantasy: Could prime Georges St-Pierre beat Kamaru Usman in a potential welterweight fight?
Georges St-Pierre and Kamaru Usman are counted among the greatest MMA fighters of all time and are former UFC welterweight champions. St-Pierre is also a former UFC middleweight champion. The legendary combatant ended his three-year MMA hiatus and beat Michael Bisping to win the middleweight belt in Nov. 2017. He subsequently vacated the title and retired.
For years, there's been widespread speculation about 'Rush' aka 'GSP' possibly making a combat sports comeback, something that almost materialized for a matchup against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman moved up to middleweight in Oct. 2023. However, he's recently suggested that he could return to welterweight and face the winner of the upcoming UFC 304 (July 27, 2024) match between current UFC welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards and challenger Belal Muhammad.
St-Pierre has nine successful UFC welterweight title defenses, and Usman has five. They're best known for their work in the 170-pound division, and fans often debate about which of the two deserves to be called the welterweight G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time).
Could prime Georges St-Pierre beat Kamaru Usman in a potential welterweight fight?
Presently, Georges St-Pierre is 42 years of age, whereas Kamaru Usman is 37. Assuming that their respective prime versions clashed, it'd surely be an epic welterweight showdown. While anything's possible in a fight, St-Pierre would probably have the edge if the fight does the distance.
St-Pierre notably suffered a first-round TKO defeat against Matt Serra in April 2007, a loss he avenged by stopping Serra via second-round TKO in April 2008. Though he won the rematch, many believe that their first encounter fundamentally altered 'GSP's' approach toward fighting.
The Canadian MMA icon, who almost always pursued the finish (via KO/TKO or submission), started focusing more on intelligently scoring decision victories rather than taking risks to stop his opponents. Starting his career as a striking savant with ever-evolving grappling, 'GSP' later added exceptional wrestling to his weaponry to control and outpoint his foes.
A major positive about the glaring post-Serra change was that 'GSP' mastered the art of craftily surviving and outworking opponents irrespective of their styles.
Intriguingly, Kamaru Usman had a contrasting career trajectory in regard to his approach toward fighting. A skilled amateur wrestler, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' gradually added knockout power and technical striking to his arsenal, going from a fighter who was criticized for largely securing decision victories to an adept finisher.
Georges St-Pierre's legendary jab (versatile in power, angles, etc.) against Kamaru Usman's stinging jab (dangerous in its own right!) would've witnessed 'GSP' beat the Nigeria-born American fighter. As for the overall punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes advantage, that too would go to St-Pierre.
Regardless, akin to the Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks UFC welterweight title fight of Nov. 2013, Kamaru Usman's wrestling would've proven to be better than that of 'GSP.' Their jiu-jitsu skills would've nullified each other, and Usman wouldn't have been able to keep St-Pierre on the mat long enough despite winning the takedown battle.
Ultimately, their fight would go the distance, given both fighters' durability. The key differential would be St-Pierre's volume striking, which would've considerably outshined Usman's minor wrestling superiority against him. The likely outcome for their welterweight clash would've been 'GSP' emerging victorious on the judges' scorecards.