UFC: Usman Nigerian Nightmare snatches his first win after long lay off
From our Sports desk, Benin
Last Saturday, 14 June, 2025, the premier promotion returned to Atlanta for UFC Atlanta with a welterweight main event between former champion Kamaru Usman and soaring contender Joaquin Buckley.
Usman also known as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ successfully ended his three fight losing streak, dominating Buckley over five rounds and picking up the unanimous decision win.
Coming into the event, Usman was written off by a large majority of the UFC fanbase because of his inactivity over the last two years as well as his persistent knee problems.
But the 38-year-old’s performance was so impressive that even his rival Muhammad praised him for his performance.
For almost throughout the fight, Usman showcased his extremely dominant wrestling, nullifying ‘New Mansa’s’ powerful striking.
Following his win, Usman declared that he wants to fight the winner of the upcoming welterweight title fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, turning down Belal Muhammad’s callout.
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I know I’m still able to do this!
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ fought back tears as he stood in the center of the Octagon on Saturday night, finally back in the win column after nearly three years absence.
It was his first win since November 2021, and a performance which silenced doubts about whether he still had what it takes.
“It’s been a while,” Usman said in an emotional post-fight interview. “I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level. … I expected him to be really tough, which he was. He’s a very talented guy. I show love and respect to all of these guys because I know what it takes to work and get here.”
At 38, Usman returned from a 20-month layoff and looked like his old dominant self, using his trademark wrestling to control Buckley through most of the five-round main event at State Farm Arena.
Judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, all in favor of the former champion.
The win marked a major turning point for Usman, who had suffered back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards and a short-notice defeat to rising star Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.
Kamaru Usman punches Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Against Buckley, Usman came out aggressively, scoring takedowns in each of the first four rounds and opening a cut near Buckley’s eye with sharp elbows from top position.
While Buckley rallied in the final round with powerful hooks and uppercuts, Usman used his experience to avoid serious danger and close out the fight.
For Buckley, the loss has broken a six-fight winning streak that had put him firmly in the title contention. Still, he remained gracious in defeat.
“I’m going to be honest, I’m just glad to be in this Octagon with someone who is known as one of the best,” Buckley said.
“For us to go five rounds and put on an amazing fight, I’m just so happy. I’ve come a long way to see me here. This ain’t gonna be the end. We just getting started.”
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