Kamaru Usman delivered an impressive unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta on Saturday night, snapping a three-fight losing streak and ending a near four-year victory drought. Known as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare,’ Usman showcased his wrestling superiority to control most of the bout, clearly winning the first four rounds. This victory places him firmly back in the mix for a welterweight title shot at age 38, reviving hopes of reclaiming his former standing in the UFC.
The fight was held in Atlanta, where Usman’s dominant grappling neutralized Buckley’s striking menace. This result was especially significant for Usman, who had not tasted victory in the octagon since November 2021.
Usman Reflects on Personal Struggles and Emotional Weight of Victory
After the fight, Usman appeared visibly emotional as he described the uphill battle he faced both inside and outside the cage. He paused several times, catching his breath while speaking about the challenges he overcame to get back to winning ways.
“It’s hard, it’s been a while not just with getting back in here, but obviously getting in the win column,”
—Kamaru Usman
He further revealed the personal battles behind his return, hinting at physical and mental struggles that many fans may not yet know about.
“I battled with a lot of things just to get here. To repair my body physically and personally,”
—Kamaru Usman
“There were a lot of things that [I had to deal with]. I guess the expression would be fighting a lot of demons.”
—Kamaru Usman
Usman spoke candidly about the emotional toll and the support he received from his family, team, and loved ones.
“There were a lot of emotions that I had to battle just to get back here,”
—Kamaru Usman
“A lot of things that a lot of people don’t know. Hopefully, eventually, at the end, I’ll reveal all of that. But [there was] a lot that I had to deal with just to get back in here. Personally, and of course mentally, but with the help of my loved ones, my family, and my team we were able to get back here.”
“So I’m just grateful and I’m just blessed.”
—Kamaru Usman
Career Context: Usman’s Rise, Setbacks, and Path to Redemption
Before this fight, Usman’s last UFC win dated back to 2021 when he outpointed Colby Covington to defend the welterweight title. Shortly afterward, he lost the belt following a brutal knockout by Leon Edwards. After suffering another defeat in a rematch with Edwards, Usman moved up to middleweight but was stopped by Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023.
These defeats, the only losses in his UFC career, highlighted a difficult phase for the former champion. His win over Buckley at UFC Atlanta marks a significant turning point, lifting a heavy burden and reopening doors for title contention.
Fight Dynamics: Usman’s Strategy and Buckley’s Efforts in the Cage
Throughout the five-round main event, Usman used his wrestling to great effect, taking Buckley down four times and controlling the pace of the fight. Despite Buckley’s reputation for explosive striking power, especially his memorable knockouts, he struggled to connect during the bout and was forced into desperate measures in the final round.
Buckley pressed hard in round five, knowing he was behind on the judges‘ scorecards, but he couldn’t land the devastating punches that have defined his previous UFC performances. Ultimately, the judges awarded Usman a unanimous decision victory in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors for Buckley despite the loss.
Praise from MMA Community Highlights Usman’s Impressive Comeback
Following the fight, Usman received widespread commendation from notable figures in the MMA world, many of whom viewed him as an underdog given his age and recent setbacks.
“One of the best Kamaru Usman performances we have seen in a long time!”
—Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion and commentator
“Master class from Kamaru. Reversing the age on everybody. He’s next for the strap!”
—Henry Cejudo, former UFC champion and podcast co-host with Usman
Usman himself confirmed that he expects to return to title contention without delay.
“For sure,” he stated, describing himself as the next contender for the welterweight crown.
Current Landscape of the UFC Welterweight Division
The welterweight division is currently led by Jack Della Maddalena, who won the belt last month at UFC 315 by defeating Belal Muhammad. Della Maddalena is poised for his first title defense, which many anticipate will be his toughest challenge yet against lightweight standout Islam Makhachev, who has vacated the lightweight title to pursue gold at welterweight.
Usman commented on the potential blockbuster nature of this match-up between two of the sport’s pound-for-pound stars.
“If Islam pulls that off, former pound-for-pound vs. current pound-for-pound. Who doesn’t pay for that?”
—Kamaru Usman
Usman himself reached the number one pound-for-pound ranking during his reign as welterweight champion, enjoying the second-longest undefeated streak in UFC history at the start of his career.
Other Notable Outcomes and Events at UFC Atlanta
Apart from the Usman-Buckley bout, the UFC Atlanta event featured several other key fights. In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas edged out Miranda Maverick with a unanimous decision win. Edmen Shahbazyan, Raoni Barcelos, and Mansur Abdul-Malik also earned unanimous decision victories in their respective bouts.
One bout ended controversially when Scotland’s Paul Craig was forced into a no-contest against Rodolfo Bellato due to an illegal upkick that was exaggerated by Bellato’s reaction.
Significance and What Lies Ahead for Usman and the Division
Usman’s victory over Joaquin Buckley marks a critical milestone in rejuvenating his career and reestablishing his place at the top tier of the welterweight division. Given his dominant wrestling display and emotional resilience, many expect him to challenge once again for the title in what could be a significant late-career resurgence.
With Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev shaping the division’s future, Usman’s return adds a compelling layer of competition. His story of overcoming personal and professional adversity resonates strongly, underscoring the intensity and depth of his commitment to the sport.