Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, put an end to a three-fight losing streak by delivering a dominant unanimous decision win against Joaquin Buckley in the main event at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on Sunday morning.
At 38 years old, Usman displayed his trademark experience and tactical skill, earning judges’ scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. This victory marked his first since November 2021, halting a challenging spell for the former dominant titleholder.
“It feels great,” Usman reflected after the fight. “It’s been a long time coming, and I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I still belong at the top level.”
Against a determined and aggressive Buckley, Usman leaned on his wrestling expertise and veteran insight. He successfully took his opponent down in each of the opening four rounds, maintaining control on the ground and delivering relentless ground-and-pound attacks that kept Buckley defensive.
The win served as a powerful statement of Usman’s calibre. After an absence from the Octagon lasting 20 months, “The Nigerian Nightmare” shut down doubters and reaffirmed his status as a formidable competitor in the UFC.
