Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman earned a much-needed victory at UFC Atlanta earlier this month, stopping Joaquin Buckley’s winning streak through a unanimous decision. Usman’s elite wrestling and control inside the Octagon helped him regain momentum in the welterweight division.
Despite his control, Usman admitted he decided against pursuing a knockout late in the fight. His restraint emerged from a vivid memory of a previous knockout loss, influencing his approach during key moments of UFC Atlanta.
Impact of Leon Edwards’ Head Kick Knockout on Usman’s Fight Plan
During the final round against Buckley, Usman faced heavy pressure after four dominant rounds. Buckley’s striking surge in the fifth round rocked Usman, making the end of the fight tense. Though Usman considered increasing offense to finish Buckley with a knockout, he ultimately opted for safer tactics.
In an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Usman revealed the reason behind his caution. He recalled the devastating head kick knockout he suffered from Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah, which occurred during the fifth round and ended his welterweight title reign.
I’m not even going to lie to you, the last minute [felt long]. There was a minute in my head where I was like ‘He’s throwing so hard, that you can catch him and knock him out, right now’. What a statement that would be. You can knock him out right now!
—Kamaru Usman
Despite this temptation, Usman’s experience with Edwards’ knockout made him wary of overcommitting. He chose to rely on his footwork and avoid taking unnecessary risks in the fight’s closing moments.
There’s a minute left…and I’m like ‘Yeah, I know I can knock him out. But let’s go ahead and use this footwork’ [LAUGHS].
—Kamaru Usman
This tactical decision proved wise, as the head kick from Edwards marked one of the most shocking knockouts in UFC history and triggered Usman’s subsequent three-fight losing streak, including additional title losses to Edwards. Before returning at UFC Atlanta, Usman had also experienced a recent middleweight loss to Khamzat Chimaev on short notice at UFC 294.
Usman’s Position in the Welterweight Title Race After UFC Atlanta
With his victory over Buckley, Usman reestablished himself as a contender in the welterweight division. He publicly expressed interest in facing the winner of the upcoming title bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. This fight is expected later this year following Maddalena’s recent win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.
Usman’s history with Belal Muhammad includes ongoing tension and exchanges of criticism, nearly escalating to a physical confrontation during Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast. Muhammad called Usman out on social media after UFC Atlanta, but Usman chose not to respond publicly.
A potential matchup between Usman and Muhammad remains possible if negotiations progress, although Usman’s focus appears to be directed toward the next top contender. His measured approach and recent comeback highlight his resilience after a difficult period in his career.