Following UFC 268, Dana White Declares Usman “Best Welterweight of All Time,” Says Gaethje Title Fight “Makes Sense”

New York, NY — The UFC has gone big with its New York City cards each and every time out, and that was the case once again with UFC 268.

Capturing the #4 spot on Madison Square Garden’s all-time list for highest gate, with over $9 million in ticket sales, should give you some idea of the event’s impact. Dana White revealed that news and more following the event — and touched on what comes next for Justin Gaethje, after a thrilling win in an absolute war with Michael Chandler.

Gaethje meeting the winner of the upcoming Charles Oliveira-Dustin Poirier title fight is a possibility. “It makes sense, but we’ll see what happens,” White stated following the event. “I don’t make fights the night of the fight.”

After Kamaru Usman once again defeated Colby Covington in the card’s main event, White was bullish on the welterweight champ.

“If Usman doesn’t exist, Colby Covington is the champion here. Usman, this guy is the best ever,” exclaimed White. “He’s the best welterweight of all time. He’s on his way to possible GOAT status, and Colby Covington is one tough dude.”

With Usman already fighting in rematches, however, there’s a question about what challenges remain for the “Nigerian Nightmare.” He has already defeated Covington and Jorge Masivdal twice. Leon Edwards has worked his way back to a potential title shot — which would also be a rematch.

Then there’s Khamzat Chimaev. “He’s a couple fights away, if he can beat a couple guys in the top ten, top five, then we’ll see,” White said on that front. As for Edwards, “he’s been waiting for a title shot for a long time too. He’s been in there, fought the fights we told him to do. He’s had a lot of bad luck, things happen, but there’s always somebody.”

One fight White nixed: a possible boxing match between Usman and Canelo Alvarez. “I watched the Canelo fight tonight. He don’t wanna fight Canelo.”

On a different front, Ian Garry arrived in the UFC on Saturday, and lived up to expectations. Following a knockout win over Jordan Williams, the Irish welterweight recalled Conor McGregor’s “we’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over” statement, putting his own twist on it by declaring the start of the “Irish Invasion, Part 2.”

Garry certainly has some of the same ingredients that made McGregor a household name. White believes if Garry goes on a run, we’ll see “big things” from the 23-year old.

“I don’t think there’s ever going to be another Conor McGregor but he’ll be whoever he is, and you know how the Irish support their own,” White told Cageside Press. “So if this kid stays on a run and starts to do great things, I’m sure we’re going to see big things from him.”

Watch the full UFC 268 post-fight press conference with Dana White above. More coverage from the event can be found below.