Kamaru Usman returns to the octagon this Saturday at UFC Fight Night, ready to reclaim his position among the elite welterweights. His opponent will be rising contender Joaquin Buckley, a fighter gaining momentum and eager to challenge the established order in the welterweight division. This fight at State Farm Arena in Atlanta carries high stakes for both athletes, signaling a pivotal moment in their careers.
Kamaru Usman’s Quest to Regain Welterweight Supremacy
Usman, boasting a professional record of 20 wins and 4 losses, has enjoyed an outstanding UFC welterweight championship reign, defending his title five times and standing second only to Georges St-Pierre in the division’s history. However, his dominance was halted when Leon Edwards delivered a head kick knockout with just seconds left in their bout, claiming the belt and Usman’s consciousness simultaneously. Following this, Usman suffered another setback against Khamzat Chimaev, marking his first losing streak after many years of success.
This string of challenges forced Usman to take a break from fighting to fully recover from persistent injuries. Reflecting on his past, Usman revealed,
“I came into the game with injuries,”
adding,
“Most people don’t realize that when I fought for ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ in 2015, which was my first UFC fight, I was four months removed from microfracture surgery. It was supposed to be an eight-month recovery, but I went in and fought.”
He also noted how enduring hardship shaped his mindset:
“I was always dealing with things. It was difficult, but it never stopped me. It grew my threshold for being uncomfortable, which I’ve been throughout my career. It feels good to go in here now and try to get back to the top.”
Joaquin Buckley’s Rise as a Formidable Welterweight Challenger
Standing across from Usman is Joaquin Buckley, a 21-6 fighter widely regarded as a representative of the new generation in welterweight competition. Buckley gained significant attention for his explosive striking and tenacity, especially after restructuring his career following some defeats in 2022. By dropping weight classes to welterweight, Buckley has put together an impressive six-fight winning streak, including four stoppages. His list of defeated opponents features notable names such as former title challengers Colby Covington and Stephen Thompson.
Buckley shared insight into his mindset during this turnaround:
“Knowing that my job was on the line, that was the switch,”
and,
“Knowing if I took another loss, this could be my last opportunity.”
His confidence is apparent, and he has openly challenged whether he should have earned a title shot instead of Jack Della Maddalena, emphasizing strategic advantages around division positioning in the UFC.
Addressing the dynamics of the welterweight division and potential threats, Buckley explained,
“Islam is only moving up because he has the right opportunity to fight the right person…”
He elaborated on Della Maddalena’s style by saying,
“Even though JDM has weapons and a lot of threats, all you have to do is put buddy on his back and he’s a simple fighter.”
Furthermore, Buckley claimed:
“Why didn’t they pick me? Because they knew Islam wouldn’t move up if I got the belt from Belal [Muhammad]. True story.”
Additional Highlights from UFC Fight Night Event
The main card also includes bouts featuring former champions Rose Namajunas and Cody Garbrandt, who will face Miranda Maverick and Raoni Barcelos, respectively. Namajunas recently expressed optimism about pursuing a flyweight title run despite recent setbacks, highlighting the competitive nature and shifting landscape of UFC’s lighter divisions.
Complete UFC Fight Night Lineup and Broadcast Details
The highly anticipated event takes place on June 14, with the main card beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with ESPN providing television coverage and streaming available via fubo.
Expert Prediction for the Headlining Bout
When analyzing the clash between Usman and Buckley, the stakes become clear not only for the fighters’ legacies but also for the future shape of the welterweight division. Usman, after a period of rest and recovery and a commendable performance against Chimaev at a heavier weight, is not yet ready to concede his relevance. His strong wrestling base and durability have historically kept him competitive against top contenders.
However, the division around him is evolving with younger stars like Buckley making a resurgence. Buckley’s knockout power and overall skill development position him as a significant threat. While Usman is likely to push hard and resist early, the prediction leans toward Buckley securing a technical knockout in the fourth round, marking a decisive moment in welterweight competition.
This fight promises to either reaffirm Usman’s exceptional status or signal the arrival of a new era led by Joaquin Buckley, the emerging UFC welterweight title contender.