Kamaru Usman returned to winning ways with a solid victory over Buckley at UFC Atlanta.
The former champion used strong wrestling to end his losing streak and impress fans again.
Kamaru Usman has finally ended his losing streak with an impressive showing at UFC Atlanta. On Saturday night at the State Farm Arena, the former welterweight champion defeated Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision, marking his first victory since 2021.
Usman, now holding a professional record of 21 wins and 4 losses, broke a three-fight skid with the five-round decision win. Judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, all in favor of the 38-year-old Nigerian-American fighter. Buckley, who entered the match on a strong run of form, now falls to 21-7.
“It’s been a while,” Usman said during his post-fight interview, visibly emotional. “I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level. I expected him to be really tough, which he was. He’s a very talented guy. I show love and respect to all of these guys because I know what it takes to work and get here.”
Once hailed as the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter, Usman had not tasted victory since his title defense against Colby Covington in November 2021. Saturday’s win was a reminder of the elite skill set that kept him on top of the division for years.
After nearly two years away from the cage, Usman returned with a clear game plan: dominate using his strong wrestling background. He controlled the early rounds by executing takedowns and maintaining positional control on the mat. According to official UFC statistics, Usman landed four of seven takedown attempts over the first four rounds, keeping Buckley on the defensive and limiting his striking opportunities.
While Usman had firm control through most of the fight, the final round saw a shift in momentum. Buckley came out aggressively, sensing the need for a finish. He landed several heavy punches, including uppercuts and hooks, that visibly shook Usman. Despite this late surge, Usman’s experience and poise allowed him to survive the onslaught and secure the decision win.
For Buckley, the loss ended a six-fight winning streak that included four knockouts. One of the most notable wins in that stretch came last December when he stopped Colby Covington with a flurry of strikes.
Speaking after the fight, Buckley showed nothing but respect for the former champion. “I’m going to be honest, I’m just glad to be in this Octagon with someone who is known as one of the best,” he said. “For us to go five rounds and put on an amazing fight, I’m just so happy. I’ve come a long way to see me here. This ain’t gonna be the end. We just getting started.”
Usman’s recent struggles began in 2022 when he was knocked out by Leon Edwards in the final round of a fight he had been dominating. He lost the immediate rematch to Edwards and then took a short-notice middleweight bout against Khamzat Chimaev, which he also lost. Saturday’s victory was not just a way to snap his losing run, but a way to remind fans and fighters alike that he remains a top contender.
Right from the opening round, Usman established control. He secured an early takedown, delivered sharp elbows that opened a cut near Buckley’s right eye, and kept the pressure on throughout. Although Buckley showed grit and determination, he struggled to match Usman’s grappling skills and pace.
With this performance, Usman puts himself back into the welterweight title conversation. He may now be in line to face the winner of the upcoming title fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev.
For Usman, the win was not just a return to form, but a personal validation.
“I know I can still do this,” he said. And with his dominant display in Atlanta, he showed the world that he truly can.
