Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has successfully ended his three-fight losing streak with a convincing unanimous decision victory over American fighter Joaquin Buckley on Saturday.
The bout, which headlined the UFC Atlanta fight card at State Farm Arena, saw 'The Nigerian Nightmare' dominate across all five rounds, with all three judges scoring the contest 49-46 in his favor.
Usman entered the octagon under significant pressure, having not competed since October 2023 and carrying the weight of three consecutive defeats. The Nigerian-born fighter's performance demonstrated his determination to reclaim his standing in the welterweight division.
Buckley's Winning Streak Halted
Buckley, ranked No. 7 in the division, came into the fight with considerable momentum, riding a six-fight winning streak. His most recent victory had come against former interim titleholder Colby Covington via doctor stoppage, and 15 of his 27 career wins had been achieved by knockout.
Despite Buckley's impressive record and knockout power, Usman's experience, wrestling prowess, and striking accuracy proved too much for the American contender to overcome.
Significance for Nigerian MMA
This victory marks an important moment for Usman, who remains one of Nigeria's most accomplished mixed martial artists. The win potentially puts him back in contention in the UFC's competitive welterweight division, where he previously reigned as champion.
Usman joins fellow Nigerian-born fighters Israel Adesanya and current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards as prominent representatives of African talent in the world's premier mixed martial arts organization.
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