Joaquin Buckley offered a candid appraisal of his recent fight against Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta, where Usman secured a clear decision victory last weekend. Despite Buckley’s relentless attempts to land a knockout throughout the bout, Usman’s wrestling dominance kept him grounded almost every round, ultimately leading to Buckley’s first loss after a six-fight winning streak.

Initially, Buckley felt honored just to share the Octagon with the former welterweight champion, but after some reflection, his perspective shifted.

On Thursday, Buckley uploaded a 20-minute video titled

“My Honest Reaction from UFC Atlanta,”

where he openly criticized his inability to counter Usman’s grappling strategy.

Every round he took me down, kept me there,

Buckley said.

He added,

“I couldn’t get back up to my feet. I’m looking at [referee] Mike Beltran, like, ‘Bro, stand us up at least one time, let me get back up to my feet’.”

Buckley admitted feeling deeply embarrassed and humiliated by the outcome but also paid respect to Usman’s skill, stating,

That night, it really showed it’s levels to this game.

Future Opportunities Await for Buckley in the Welterweight Division

Although dealing with the sting of defeat, Buckley remains an influential contender in the welterweight ranks, holding a position in the top 10 at 170 pounds. His record of 21 wins and 7 losses confirms his standing as a formidable fighter capable of challenging high-level opponents.

Current welterweight contenders Leon Edwards, Ian Machado Garry, Michael Morales, and Colby Covington are all searching for opponents, providing Buckley with several potential matchups that could elevate him back toward title contention.

By securing a win over one of these fighters, Buckley could position himself for another chance at a welterweight title eliminator. He plans to take time to recover mentally and physically, focusing on improving his grappling skills as he prepares for his next fight.

Given his dedication and talent, it is anticipated that Joaquin Buckley will return strongly before the end of 2025.