A welterweight bout between contenders headlined the UFC Atlanta fight card at State Farm Arena on Saturday. Former champion and No. 5 ranked Kamaru Usman took on No. 7 ranked Joaquin Buckley in the featured fight.
Usman made the walk to the octagon having last fought in October 2023. Looking to right the ship after three consecutive losses, “The Nigerian Nightmare” was in desperate need of a win.
Buckley came to the fight riding a six-fight winning streak. He last fought in December defeating former interim titleholder Colby Covington via doctor stoppage. 15 of his 27 career wins had come by knockout.
Usman took the center of the cage. Buckley pawed with his jab measuring distance. Usman change levels and took Buckley down inside the first minute. Usman kept a top pressure. He delivered short elbows. Buckley had a closed guard and didn’t work to stand. Usman delivered left hands to the body. Usman passed to half guard and pulled Buckley away from the fence. In the closing seconds, Usman opened up with punches. Buckley was cut above his right eye. Usman dominated the opening round. MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for the former champion.
Buckley landed his jab and circled to start the second. Usman briefly looked to clinch. He landed a teep kick to the body. Buckley pressed forward with punches but Usman stayed just out of range. Usman changed levels and put Buckley on his back. Usman pulled Buckley away from the cage and landed to the body. Buckley closed his guard. Usman delivered a series of short left hands. Buckley didn’t seem to have an answer while on the bottom. Usman moved to half guard and delivered elbows. Usman dominated the second Frame as well. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Usman.
Buckley came out with more of a karate-style stance in the third. He landed a leg kick and bounced on the outside. Usman delivered a kick to the body. Buckley connected with a counter left hand. Usman pressured Buckley and delivered a front kick to the body. Buckley moved into the pocket with a combination. Usman opted to get the fight to the ground midway through the round. Usman delivered right hands and elbows. Buckley got to a knee pulled him back to the ground advancing to the mount. He delivered elbows. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Usman. a
Usman landed a kick to the bod to start the fourth frame. Buckley fired off a high kick that was blocked. Buckley delivered a side kick to the chest of Usman. Usman connected with a short upper cut. Buckley responded with an uppercut. Usman faked a takedown and landed a right hand. ‘Buckley landed a right hand. Usman connected with a straight left. He drove forward and took Buckley down. He worked from half guard and delivered short left hands to the body. Buckley was unable to much once he was on his back. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Usman.
Buckley came out aggressive to start the final round. He pressure Usman. Buckley defended a takedown attempt. He shook off another takedown attempt. Usman connected with a stiff jab. Buckley doubled up on his jab. Usman worked for a takedown but Buckley stuffed it. Usman was unable to get Buckley down. Buckley unloaded a flurry. Usman tied him up and pressed him to the fence with 90 seconds remaining. Buckley separated and landed a left hand. Buckley began moving forward. He landed a left hand followed by a right. Buckley connects with a combination. Usman retreated. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Buckley.
The judges scored the fight for Usman via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
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