Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has firmly asserted that he remains the premier fighter in his division as he prepares for his highly anticipated clash with American contender Joaquin Buckley this weekend at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Known as the “Nigerian Nightmare,” Usman currently sits fifth in the UFC welterweight rankings, entering the bout after a challenging run that has seen him suffer three straight losses. Usman lost his title to Leon Edwards in August 2022 in a fight he dominated until a stunning last-minute head kick ended his reign. The two met again seven months later, with Usman narrowly losing a closely contested decision. Following that, the Edo state-born fighter accepted a short-notice middleweight fight against Khamzat Chimaev, which also ended in defeat by decision.
Despite these setbacks, the 38-year-old veteran remains confident ahead of facing the 31-year-old Buckley. Speaking with TMZ Sports, Usman said, “I feel good. I feel good, you know? I’m out here sipping tea. Very serene. Absolutely, I feel like I’m better than every one of those guys ahead of me. Joaquin is very, very aggressive. Younger, hungry, tough dude. Very, very explosive. Aggressive. And he is pretty well-rounded.”
Usman added, “It’s my job to go in there and just kind of let him know that, ‘You’re doing a good thing, but you know you’re just not there yet.’” When pressed on whether a win this weekend could pave the way for another title shot, he responded decisively, “Absolutely. I think with a finish over Buckley this weekend, I’m next in line for that shot. If you really look at the division and you look at the landscape of where we are with the UFC and everyone, I don’t mean to sound some type of way, but I think as far as looking for the biggest name and the biggest fight in that division, I think it’s me.”
Usman, who boasts a professional record of 20 wins and 4 losses, is currently experiencing the toughest stretch in his career. Meanwhile, Buckley, ranked seventh, comes into the fight riding an impressive six-fight winning streak that includes victories over notable opponents such as Vicente Luque, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and Colby Covington. Buckley’s career record stands at 21 wins and 6 losses.
As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on the Nigerian star to see if he can halt his recent slide and reclaim his status as the welterweight division’s top contender.