Nigerian-American UFC fighter Kamaru Usman returned to winning form on Sunday morning, defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in the main event at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.
The 38-year-old former welterweight champion snapped a three-fight losing streak with a tactical and dominant performance, earning judges’ scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. The victory marked Usman’s first in nearly four years and his return to the octagon after a 20-month layoff.
Usman showcased vintage form, controlling the bout with wrestling and ground control. He scored takedowns in each of the first four rounds, maintained 13 minutes of control time, and landed 137 total strikes to Buckley’s 51.
“Sometimes when you’re going up against a young, hungry guy like that… you’ve got to pull out the skills and use your experience,” Usman said post-fight. “And that’s what I did tonight.”
Buckley entered the fight on a five-match win streak but was outclassed by Usman’s experience and cage control.
Addressing concerns about his health and longevity, Usman dismissed criticism over his fitness:
“It’s a running joke, ‘Oh, his knees, his knees.’ Well, I can still do what I do—and I could do that to anybody in the welterweight division.”
Usman’s professional UFC record now stands at 16 wins and 3 losses, reinforcing his position as a top-tier contender in the division.
