Kamaru Usman picked up his first win in over three years at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta, defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision to capture the welterweight main event. The victory snapped a three-fight losing streak and marked Usman’s return to form.
Usman, 38, relied on his collegiate wrestling background to control the fight, taking down Buckley in each of the first four rounds. However, Buckley came on strong in the final round, landing several good shots that had Usman stumbling. Despite this, Usman’s experience paid off, and he managed to avoid a devastating combination.
The win sets up Usman as a legitimate contender for the welterweight title, which is expected to take place later this year between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. Usman, a former welterweight champion, has been out of action for 20 months, but his performance on Saturday night suggests he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Buckley, who was coming off a six-fight winning streak, struggled with consistency in the final round, missing several takedown attempts. The loss snaps Buckley’s winning streak and marks a setback for the young fighter.
The win also sets up Usman as a potential title challenger. His performance was vintage Usman, showcasing his wrestling skills and experience in the Octagon. With this victory, Usman has proven he still belongs among the best at welterweight.
In other news, Rose Namajunas improved to 3-2 as a flyweight after defeating Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45516535/usman-takes-buckley-ufc-main-event-1st-win-21