Kamaru Usman ends losing streak with dominant win over Joaquin Buckley
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman snapped a three-fight losing streak with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley in their main event clash at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday morning.
Usman, 38, rolled back the years with an experienced and calculated performance, earning scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 from the judges. The win marked his first victory since November 2021, ending a difficult run of form for the once-dominant champion.
“It feels good,” Usman said post-fight. “It’s been a while; I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level.”
Facing an in-form and aggressive Buckley, Usman relied on his wrestling pedigree and veteran savvy. He secured takedowns in each of the first four rounds, maintaining top control and delivering punishing ground-and-pound strikes that kept the younger fighter on the back foot.
The victory was a timely reminder of Usman’s pedigree. After 20 months out of the Octagon, he silenced critics and proved that “The Nigerian Nightmare” remains a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
