Following the successful defence of his welterweight title belt against Jorge Masvidal, Kamaru Usman has declared that he’s now the best fighter on the planet.
The UFC welcomed back American fans for their first live event in over a year on Saturday night and three of its greatest fighters — Kamaru Usman, Rose Namajunas and Valentina Shevchenko — rose to the occasion with stunning knockouts at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Nigerian-American welterweight champion Usman knocked American challenger Jorge Masvidal out cold with a thunderous straight right to the chin at 1.02 of the second round in the main event and warned those gathered –- and other fighters — “I’m still getting better.”
“Jacksonville, Florida. You wanted violence? You’re welcome,” Usman said afterwards as he moved his unbeaten run to 18 fights.
“I told everybody… I am pound for pound the best fighter on the planet right now.”
The pair had met back in July last year with the 33-year-old Usman overpowering his 36-year-old opponent in the clinch and on the ground and pounding away at will across five rounds.
This time he got straight to the point with a punch that saw Masvidal crumpled to a knockout for the first time in a career that has now taken in 50 fights. (AFP)
