Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is set to return to the octagon against Joaquin Buckley in the highly anticipated main event at UFC Atlanta. This exciting matchup takes place at State Farm Arena, where Usman hopes to turn his fortunes around after suffering a string of defeats.
Usman, with a professional record of 20 wins and 4 losses, last competed in October 2023, where he faced off against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. This clash was a short-notice fight in the middleweight division, which ended with Usman losing by a majority decision. Currently, Usman finds himself on a troubling three-fight losing streak and, at 38 years old, realizes that another defeat could spell difficulties for his storied career.
Joaquin Buckley comes into this fight riding a wave of momentum with a six-fight winning streak, boasting a record of 21 wins and 6 losses. Buckley's most recent victory was a TKO against Colby Covington in December, and he is eager to secure what would be the biggest win of his career against a former titleholder like Usman.
Michael Bisping, a former middleweight champion and current UFC analyst, shared his insights about the UFC Atlanta main event, expressing concerns for Usman’s chances against Buckley. On his YouTube channel, Bisping stated, "Usman is going up against Joaquin Buckley. Buckley is a monster." Bisping pointed out that at just 31 years old, Buckley is an explosive athlete. "He hits like a truck. He's extremely agile," he stated.
Bisping further noted Buckley's impressive combination of skills, mentioning, "He's got flying knees, wrestling, and he's mentally strong." Buckley's youth and rising trajectory contrast sharply with Usman's current situation, as Bisping remarked that Usman appears to be nearing the end of his career. "It's a really tough fight for Kamaru Usman,” Bisping commented, emphasizing Usman’s admissions about his weary body after years of competing at elite levels.
Bisping reflected on the physical toll of being a top athlete, saying, "All that greatness comes at a price. We always say, 'You don't have two peaks.' What comes up must come down." He added that regaining previous levels of performance after a decline is rare in combat sports.
When analyzing the matchup, Bisping believes Buckley holds advantages in striking, speed, and determination. Although he conceded that Usman might have the upper hand in wrestling, Bisping ultimately favored Buckley for the victory. "When you look at the striking, I've got to lean toward Buckley. He’s probably the faster, more explosive, and more diverse and agile striker. The man is young, hungry, and wants what Kamaru Usman had," he said.
Bisping also expressed doubts about Usman’s chances, stating, "I think he’s going to have a real hard time catching Buckley on the feet. He’s going to have a tough time taking him down and maybe even a harder time holding him down." In conclusion, Bisping weighed the odds and noted, "This is a tough one for Kamaru Usman, and I’ve got to lean toward Buckley in this one." While he was unsure if Buckley would score a knockout, Bisping emphasized Buckley's youth and motivation as significant obstacles for Usman in this upcoming fight.
