Kamaru Usman is set to face Joaquin Buckley in one of the most eagerly awaited UFC matchups, taking place in Atlanta this Saturday. This fight comes at a pivotal time in the welterweight division, with new contenders reshaping the rankings and challenging long-standing champions.
Formerly a dominant force and pound-for-pound king, Usman, aged 38, has been out of action for 19 months, with his last victory over Colby Covington in 2021. Conversely, Buckley, 31, is riding an impressive wave of success in the octagon, possessing a perfect 6-0 record as a welterweight contender and having secured stoppage victories against notable fighters such as Covington, Stephen Thompson, and Vicente Luque.
As anticipation builds, top welterweight contender Sean Brady has weighed in on the fight, predicting a closer matchup than many expect. Although Brady is favoring Buckley to win via decision, he acknowledges Usman’s resilience, citing that he has only been knocked out once in his career, and that was by Leon Edwards in a particularly memorable head kick.
Despite Usman’s extensive experience and previous championship reign, Brady believes Buckley’s youth and physicality will give him an edge in the fight. He speculates that while Usman may score takedowns, Buckley’s ability to counter and possibly prevent being finished will be critical.
Remarkably, it has been 600 days since Usman last fought, with his most recent bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294—an encounter he managed to go the distance in, even under short preparation. Usman’s current fight is unprecedented in terms of layoff, marking a significant moment in his career as he tries to reclaim his standing within the sport.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Usman can reestablish himself as a leading contender in the welterweight division or if Buckley will continue his ascent as a formidable threat. Regardless of the outcome, this fight promises to deliver excitement and showcase the undeniable talent within the UFC roster.