A welterweight clash headlined the UFC Atlanta event at State Farm Arena on Saturday, featuring a highly anticipated match between former champion Kamaru Usman and contender Joaquin Buckley. This bout carried significant weight for both fighters, especially for Usman, who entered with a 5th ranking in the welterweight division.
Usman, known as "The Nigerian Nightmare," sought to reclaim his standing in the sport after suffering three consecutive losses in the Octagon, the last of which occurred in October 2023. In contrast, Buckley, ranked 7th, came into the fight riding high on a six-fight winning streak, with his previous victory against former interim titleholder Colby Covington ending in a doctor stoppage back in December. Throughout his career, Buckley made a name for himself with 15 of his 27 wins coming by knockout.
The action kicked off with Usman claiming the center of the cage. Buckley attempted to gauge distance with his jab, but Usman quickly changed levels, taking Buckley down within the first minute. From the top position, Usman maintained pressure and landed short elbows. Buckley, trapped in a closed guard, struggled to stand back up as Usman worked body shots and passed to half guard, backing Buckley away from the fence. In the final seconds, Usman unleashed a barrage of punches, causing a cut above Buckley's right eye. The opening round clearly favored Usman, with MMAWeekly scoring it 10-9 for him.
As the second round began, Buckley sought to control the distance, firing his jab while circling. Usman landed a teep kick to the body. Buckley pressed forward, but Usman managed to take him down again, transitioning to half guard and landing several short punches. Buckley seemed unable to counter effectively from the bottom, allowing Usman to dominate once more. The second round also went to Usman, with MMAWeekly scoring it 10-9.
The third round saw Buckley switch to a more dynamic karate-style stance, landing a leg kick and bouncing on the outside. Usman connected with a body kick, and Buckley countered with a left hand. Usman maintained pressure and initiated another takedown midway through the round. Once on the ground, Usman delivered impactful elbows and right hands. As Buckley attempted to get to a knee, Usman advanced to mount position, continuing to land strikes. MMAWeekly scored this round 10-9 in favor of Usman.
As the fourth round started, Usman landed a body kick while Buckley responded with a high kick that was blocked. The back-and-forth exchange continued, with both fighters landing significant strikes, including an uppercut from Usman. Once again, Usman drove Buckley to the ground, working from half guard. Buckley struggled to make any meaningful offense while on his back, leading MMAWeekly to score this round 10-9 for Usman as well.
The final round saw Buckley come out aggressively, trying to pressure Usman. He defended a takedown attempt and retaliated with flurries of punches, successfully landing combinations. Usman responded by tying Buckley up against the fence in the last minute. Despite Buckley’s efforts to score, he managed to land strikes and keep the pressure on. MMAWeekly ultimately scored the final round 10-9 for Buckley.
When the fight ended, the judges’ scorecards revealed a unanimous decision victory for Kamaru Usman, with scores reading 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. This win not only boosts Usman's standings in the welterweight division but also highlights his ability to rebound from previous setbacks, solidifying his status as a formidable competitor in the UFC.
