Former UFC welterweight champion, Mr Kamaru Usman, staged a powerful comeback in Atlanta on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Nigeria), outclassing Mr Joaquin Buckley in a dominant five-round decision that may reposition him for another title run.
Usman, 38, imposed his signature wrestling from the onset, neutralising Buckley’s aggression with repeated takedowns and top control. The Nigerian secured a takedown in each of the first four rounds, amassing nearly 13 minutes of control time and landing a staggering 137 strikes compared to Buckley’s 51.
In a statement signed by Mr Kamaru Usman, the former champion said his performance was meant to “remind the world who I am and what I stand for inside that Octagon.”
The fight marked a critical turning point for Usman, who had previously endured back-to-back defeats — first to Mr Leon Edwards in their 2022 trilogy bout, then to Mr Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight debut in 2023. But against Buckley, Usman showcased the calculated ferocity that once earned him 15 straight wins and five successful title defences.
Buckley’s Resistance Falls Short
Mr Buckley, 31, attempted to mount a late comeback with bursts of striking success in the fifth round, but it proved insufficient to counter Usman’s ground dominance. The defeat snapped Buckley’s six-fight win streak, which had included brutal knockouts of top contenders such as Mr Vicente Luque, Mr Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and Mr Colby Covington.
Despite Buckley’s late offensive flurry, Usman’s strategy remained intact: secure early takedowns, maintain positional superiority, and drain his opponent with relentless control.
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Usman Eyes Welterweight Gold Again
Usman’s statement victory signals a potential return to the top-tier title picture in the UFC’s welterweight division. With Edwards still holding the belt, fans are now speculating about a possible fourth clash between the two fierce rivals — a fight that could settle the score once and for all.
Usman’s Atlanta performance, widely praised as a technical masterclass, was a reminder that the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ still has unfinished business in the Octagon.
“He’s not done yet,” one commentator said after the match. “Not by a long shot.”
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