Welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley faced former champion Kamaru Usman in the UFC Atlanta main event on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Buckley experienced a tough fight and lost by unanimous decision, marking a significant moment in his career.
Throughout the first four rounds of the five-round clash, Usman showcased his superior grappling and takedown skills, maintaining control over Buckley. This dominant strategy allowed Usman to score points while keeping Buckley at bay. In the fifth round, Buckley finally found his rhythm and began to show signs of resurgence, but his efforts came too late to change the outcome of the fight.
After the match, Buckley took to Instagram to reflect on his performance, stating, "My hand wasn’t raised last night, but I am still victorious and will be one of the greats." Buckley emphasized the incredible experience he had during this fight camp, expressing confidence in his preparation. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Usman, who utilized effective takedowns to neutralize Buckley's striking offense. Buckley also showed respect for Usman, admitting, "He did what he felt was necessary to win, and so can’t be mad at him.”
This loss ended Buckley’s impressive six-fight winning streak. Prior to this match, he had competed four times in 2024 alone. Looking forward, Buckley indicated he would take a break to refine his skills. "Atlanta was good to us baby. We sold out the arena. It was an amazing opportunity for me to go out there and show up and show out," he noted in a post-fight video. Buckley highlighted his strong finish in the final round, where he managed to defend against Usman's takedown attempts effectively.
Despite the setback, Buckley remains optimistic about his future in the welterweight division. He stated, “Even though my hand was not raised, I still feel victorious.” Acknowledging Usman's legacy, Buckley expressed gratitude for the chance to compete against such a renowned fighter, saying, “Shout out to Kamaru Usman. You are truly a legend. Thank you for the opportunity."
Buckley knows he didn’t win the fight, but he is focusing on the positives this experience brings him. "This gives me time to take a break and really kind of work on some tools and work on some things we’ve got to work on,” he mentioned. Buckley remains committed to improving and is determined to return to the Octagon even stronger.
As the welterweight division continues to evolve, fans can expect to see Joaquin Buckley back in action, refining his skills and striving for victory in future bouts.
