Dana White Openly Challenges MMA Fans to Debate ‘Greatest Welterweight of All Time’

Dana White names Kamaru Usman the greatest welterweight of all time, praising the former champion’s dominant reign.

Dana White Openly Challenges MMA Fans to Debate ‘Greatest Welterweight of All Time’

Dana White chooses welterweight GOAT (via BBC, Sky Sports)

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The welterweight division has long stood as one of the UFC’s most competitive and unpredictable weight classes. It has produced countless champions and rivalries that helped shape the sport’s identity. As the division continues to evolve, UFC CEO Dana White remains vocal about the fighters who defined its legacy and global appeal.

Throughout its history, the 170-pound division has been home to legendary figures who have shaped the sport’s identity. Icons such as Georges St-Pierre, Matt Hughes, and Robbie Lawler have each left a distinct mark on the welterweight landscape, blending skill and championship pedigree. Their reigns not only helped the UFC expand its international footprint but also set the standard for future generations.

In recent years, the title picture has been more fluid, with several fighters trading championship gold in quick succession. During a recent appearance on the Pound4Pound podcast hosted by Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman, White revisited the division’s storied history. It was there that he called Usman the greatest of all time and credited the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’s sustained dominance at 170 pounds.

You heard all the things that I said about you with your ‘30 per cent’ comment, and now I’m sitting here today, and I’ll f****** whoever wants to debate it with me, that you’re (Usman) the greatest welterweight of all-time.

Dana White via Pound4Pound Podcast

This was not the first time the UFC CEO has praised Usman publicly. White has repeatedly spoken highly of Usman’s skills, durability and body of work in the 170-pound division. He has stressed that Usman’s chin and overall toughness set him apart among welterweights. He has also maintained that anyone who questions Usman’s place among the best lacks a proper understanding of the craft.

Usman made his UFC debut in 2015 after winning The Ultimate Fighter and quickly climbed the rankings with his dominant wrestling. He captured the welterweight title in 2019 by defeating Tyron Woodley in a commanding performance. His reign ended at UFC 278 when Leon Edwards landed a head-kick knockout, ending one of the division’s most dominant runs.

The welterweight title is once again in the spotlight as Jack Della Maddalena gets set to defend his belt against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025. Dana White has emphasized the importance of this matchup in shaping the next chapter of the division. With the title picture heating up, Kamaru Usman stands ready as the most viable challenger, positioned to face the winner.

Dana White reflects on his early dream of becoming a fighter

The fight game has always drawn people from every walk of life, united by the dream of stepping into the Octagon and testing themselves at the highest level. Few understand ambition better than Dana White, whose life has revolved around the sport for decades. Long before he became the face of the UFC, his passion for combat sports shaped the foundation of his career.

Dana White confirms fighter pay to increase in the future
Dana White (via X)

In a behind-the-scenes clip from the Pound4Pound podcast, White opened up about his early desire to compete professionally. Speaking candidly about that phase of his life, he recalled the time when he truly believed he could become a fighter and a world champion. He then reflected on that realisation during a conversation with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo.

At one point in my life, I believed I wanted to be a professional fighter and a world champion. Someday you have to wake up and realize, when you look in the mirror, that you ain’t it — you don’t have it. Fighters are different; there are no other people on Earth like fighters.

Dana White via X

White’s honesty offered a rare glimpse into the mindset that shaped his career beyond the cage. Accepting his limits became the foundation for a much larger success story, allowing him to focus on promoting others who could live the dream he once had. In doing so, Dana White not only changed his own path but also reshaped the future of mixed martial arts, using the UFC as a platform.

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