Bisping rejects Usman GOAT debate

Michael Bisping has addressed the debate around Kamaru Usman’s standing among the greatest welterweights after Usman’s unanimous decision loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 281. Speaking on his YouTube channel after the five-round middleweight main event, Bisping said he does not share the view held by some fans that Usman should be called the best welterweight in MMA history. Instead, the UFC legend named Georges St-Pierre as his choice, while acknowledging that his opinion may be influenced by his history with St-Pierre.

Usman entered the bout after returning to winning ways against Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 69 in 2025, then made his first octagon appearance of 2026 against du Plessis. The 39-year-old former UFC welterweight champion moved up for the middleweight contest at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, but du Plessis earned the unanimous decision. The result left Usman with four losses in his past five UFC fights, a sharp contrast with the opening stretch of his UFC tenure, when he was undefeated in his first 15 fights for the promotion. Bisping’s comments focused on that larger record and on the specific expectations surrounding the du Plessis matchup, rather than treating the result as a simple referendum on Usman’s entire career.

Bisping names St-Pierre as his choice

Bisping began his reaction by describing Usman as a long-time champion who defended the welterweight belt about five times. He then addressed the claim that Usman is the division’s all-time best. “People say he’s the greatest welterweight of all time,” Bisping said. “I’m sorry. I don’t say that. I say that’s Georges St-Pierre, but whatever. I may be biased.” The distinction is significant because Usman’s welterweight run included a championship victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in 2019 and five successful title defenses. During that period, Usman beat opponents including Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal, achievements that have led some to place him at the top of the divisional conversation.

The Oklahoma City contest added another chapter to a recent run that has been difficult for Usman after years of dominance at welterweight. His title loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in 2022 was followed by three losses, including one against Khamzat Chimaev, before the Buckley victory. Against du Plessis, Usman was competing at 185 pounds and Bisping noted that Usman calls himself a “moneyweight fighter.” Bisping also said Usman was coming back after a long layoff. Those circumstances formed part of his assessment, but they did not alter his answer to the historical welterweight question. His position was direct: Usman’s championship accomplishments remain substantial, yet Bisping still places St-Pierre ahead of him in the argument.

Why the matchup created optimism

Bisping said there was a clear pre-fight idea that Usman’s wrestling could be especially effective against du Plessis. He pointed to the discussion around du Plessis and takedown defense, along with Usman’s showing against Chimaev. “The writing on the wall was, ‘Oh, he can’t stop a takedown. And Kamaru can stop a takedown. And Kamaru went and did really well against Khamzat Chimaev,’” Bisping said. He added that, in his view, Usman would have beaten Chimaev if their fight had lasted two additional rounds, before immediately noting, “Anyway, he didn’t.” Bisping also discussed a possible path some may have envisioned if Usman had beaten du Plessis, saying Usman might have expected a title shot against Sean Strickland because Usman has beaten Strickland. Bisping countered that du Plessis had beaten Strickland twice and had lost to Chimaev.

• Usman won the UFC welterweight title against Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in 2019 and successfully defended it five times.
• Usman’s loss to du Plessis was a unanimous decision in a five-round middleweight main event at UFC Fight Night 281.

Bisping’s reaction separates two related subjects: Usman’s established championship record and the continuing argument over who stands first at welterweight. He credited the scale of Usman’s title reign while declining to endorse the greatest-of-all-time label that some attach to him. After the du Plessis defeat, Bisping’s stated view remains that St-Pierre holds that position, with Usman’s middleweight loss providing the immediate setting for the discussion rather than changing the accomplishments Bisping described.