Kamaru Usman got back to winning ways with an impressive unanimous decision over Joaquin Buckley in their welterweight fight at UFC Atlanta on Saturday night.
The bout took place at State Farm Arena. The former UFC welterweight champion ended a three-fight losing streak by decisively winning the fight as all the three judges gave 49-46 for him. It was Usman’s first fight since October 2023 and a very important victory to confirm that he is still one of the best in the division.
Buckley, who was ranked seventh, came to the fight with a streak of six consecutive victories behind him, including a TKO win over the former interim champion Colby Covington in one of the fights. Most of the 27 victories in his career were knockouts. Buckley, hence, expected to test the Nigerian’s resilience.
But Usman, five-ranked, demonstrated his experience and coolness of mind while controlling the pace and easily winning over Buckley in five rounds. The win presents Usman as a serious candidate for the welterweight title picture again.
