Kamaru Usman returns from an extended stint outside the octagon to take on Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
The former UFC Welterweight champion is fighting for the first time since 2023 and despite not feeling 100% healthy going into the fight, Usman is hoping to end his three straight losing streak by beating Buckley.
Usman heads into this weekend’s encounter on the back of defeats to Leon Edwards (twice) and Khamzat Chimaev.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ met Edwards in a rematch of their 2015 fight, attempting to make his sixth title defense on August 20, 2022. However, Usman lost the fight and title via knockout late in the fifth round, marking his first loss inside the UFC.
A third fight between Usman and Edwards took place on March 18, 2023 for the UFC Welterweight Championship but he lost the bout via majority decision.
Then the Nigerian stepped in on 10 days notice, replacing an injured Paulo Costa, to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout on October 21, 2023, which also was Usman’s middleweight MMA debut but he lost the fight via majority decision.
Now, Usman has the opportunity to get back to winning ways when he take on Buckley on Saturday night.
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If he wins the fight, Usman is targeting a fight with Belal Muhammad, as he looks to move towards another UFC Welterweight title fight before his career ends.
Speaking ahead of the fight Usman, during his conversation with UFC.com, said: “Of course. If I was him, I would want this fight.
“When I was kind of in that position, I wanted Georges St-Pierre so bad, and I kept calling for Georges. But it never materialized. But if I was Buckley and I still had a guy like myself in the division hanging around – well, as far as he thinks I’m ‘hanging around’ – of course, he’s going to want that fight. He wants to challenge himself, and I appreciate it. I love it.
“I remember a time when people didn’t want to fight me, and that was very frustrating and annoying. So, he can want what he wants, but it’s my time, and it’s my opportunity, my job, to be able to go in there and let him know that you’ve done a great job, but you’re just not here yet.”
bloodyelbow.com
