Kamaru Usman, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, secured his first UFC win since 2021 when he overcame Joaquin Buckley in the welterweight main event of a Fight Night held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday.
Usman took the victory on unanimous decision (49-46 49-46 48-47) after five rounds in which his wrestling came to the fore and laid the foundation for success.
Usman patiently worked to avoid Buckley’s dangerous strikes and pick his moments to drive in for takedowns. Once the fight hit the ground, it was clear Buckley had no answer to his opponent’s technical skill off the feet.
Usman was able to score a takedown in each of the first four rounds. Each time Buckley was unable to work back to his feet. Usman worked ground and pound, and although the fight was never in danger of being finished, Usman was able to put himself well ahead on points.
“It feels good. It’s been a while,” Usman said after picking up his first win since losing the welterweight title to Leon Edwards in August 2022. “I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level. You have to pull off the skills and use the experience. I feel good.”
The rest of the main card saw Rose Namajunas overcome Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision in a women’s flyweight co-main event; Edmen Shahbazyan and Mansur Abdul-Malik both secured wins in the middleweight division, over Andre Petroski and Cody Brundage respectively; Raoni Barcelos out-pointed Cody Garbrandt in a bantamweight clash; and Alonzo Menifield got the better of Oumar Sy in a light heavyweight opener.
The UFC continues next weekend with a Fight Night at the Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan on the evening of Saturday 21, headlined by a meeting of former Light Heavyweight Championship contenders Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
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