Could Kamaru Usman winning be the perfect story book ending to his legendary career?

It is hard to deny that Kamaru Usman's tenure in the UFC is one of the best in the history of the organization and quite possibly the sport. If Usman is able to regain his UFC welterweight championship in his third fight against Leon Edwards at UFC 286, what more does he have to prove?

December 2015

Both men clashed early on in their UFC stints with neither guy having more than five fights under the UFC banner. Usman came out the winner giving Leon the third loss of his career... As a champion does, Leon embarks on a remarkable 10 fight unbeaten streak against the likes of Vicente Luque, Rafael Dos Anjos, Donald Cerrone, Bryan Barberena etc.

March 2019

Usman continued his winning ways all the way up until earning a title shot against Tyron Woodley. Kamaru dominated Woodley who had successfully defended the title multiple times prior, over the course of five rounds. It seemed like a moment in which there was a passing of the torch and it is safe to say Kamaru stormed the gates guns blazing as a champion.

December 2019

Kamaru engages in an instant classic against Colby Covington. A rivalry unique in comparison to others due to compelling blend of competitive spirit and personal disdain mixed. A five round war that would lay the foundation for a rematch no fan of the sport would campaign against, and a TKO within the last 45 seconds of the fight for Usmans first successful title defense.

July 2020

Originally set to face Gilbert Burns in his second title defense. COVID-19 would rule Burns out of the opportunity amidst a global pandemic. Jorge Masvidal would be offered a short notice title fight that he and Usman both agreed to. Despite Masvidal's best efforts, he was mostly neutralized by Usmans wrestling and physical strength winning a decision for his second successful title defense.

February 2021

Gilbert Burns was granted an opportunity at Usmans title yet again and was not letting anything stop him from getting to the fight this time around. Two former training partners who were on the come up together now matched up for the UFC welterweight championship. Burns certainly brought the fight to Usman and had him in trouble early in the fight. But Usman showed the composure of a champion and weathered the storm. On the flipside it appeared Burns had suffered adrenaline dump and faded which Usman took advantage of and systematically broke Burns down and retain his championship with a third round TKO.

April 2021

For people wondering why there is such a significant time frame in between each of Usmans fights, here is some background context. Kamaru Usman entered the UFC at 29 years old, which was after winning the grueling Ultimate Fighter: Blackzilians vs American Top Team tournament AND years of high-level wrestling before all of that. It is safe to say his body is quite beat up as is. Before Usman got a title shot, he went on a nine-fight win streak upon entering the UFC. So with his title reign underway, these nagging injuries are forcing him to take more time in between fights to recover. Does that stifle his performances? Absolutely not, the UFC again gave Jorge Masvidal an opportunity to fight for a championship and Usman added another monumental moment to his title reign by knocking out Masvidal in the second round of their rematch.

November 2021

Usman kept busy at in 2021 and did incredible work in the process. He would close out the year headlining the first UFC event back at Madison Square Garden in a couple of years in a rematch nobody would have been against as he and Colby Covington would deliver another excellent five round clash which could only be described as the perfect calming to the perfect storm. Covington would go the distance and have many moments of success with his striking but ultimately fell short again and was subsequently knocked down twice in the fight. It was admittedly cool seeing these two shake hands and bury the hatchet considering the perfect storm that was their rivalry. To this point still, no man has given Kamaru Usman a tougher fight than Colby Covington.

August 2022

Leon's unbeaten streak was undeniable at this point and he was granted the title shot he had so long campaigned for, and despite being the first man to officially take down Kamaru Usman and control him on the ground he would get dominated for the next 20 minutes of the fight. But in the most incredible fashion maybe in the history of the sport, Leon lands a flawless rear leg high kick and the one incremental mistake Usman made was slipping into the strike. But with that one strike, Usman's 15 fight win streak was over.

March 2023

There are so many questions going into this weekend surrounding the UFC welterweight title and the answers will promptly be given via UFC 286, oh which mind you is taking place in London England which is the backyard of the new champion Leon Edwards. My biggest question is... what does Kamaru Usman do if he is able to regain his spot as UFC welterweight champion in enemy territory? What more would he have to prove?