In a pivotal moment reminiscent of his past reign, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman produced an outstanding performance. From the initial moments of the match, he amplified the pressure, ultimately besting Joaquin Buckley, which might just be his ticket back to a title opportunity. In UFC’s event staged in Atlanta, Usman employed substantial ground-and-pound techniques reflecting his superior prowess. The conclusion of the night saw the former kingpin take home a substantial earnings from UFC.
At the UFC Atlanta event, spectators were reminded of Usman’s esteemed 1,267-day tenure over the welterweight division. Resurrecting his ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ moniker, Usman demonstrated his prime capabilities, culminating in a unanimous decision win against Joaquin Buckley. The judges’ scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in Usman’s favor. Moreover, Usman was rewarded with the ‘Fight of the Night’ honor, bringing in an additional $50,000 to his earnings.
Joining Usman in the winnings were combatants Malcolm Wellmaker and Jose Ochoa, both of whom received ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses amounting to $50,000 each. Meanwhile, Usman not only demonstrated tough competition but also displayed rejuvenation as he clinched a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley. Buckley on the other hand had to bear the brunt of Usman’s ferocious attacks during the much-anticipated fight.
Spectators at the venue and tuning in from around the world were privy to Usman’s ruthless display, primarily featuring formidable elbow strikes. A notable part of the fight involved Buckley sustaining a cut near his eye, courtesy of Usman’s offense. The inflicted injury was seen to perturb Buckley through the course of the bout.
Victorious in his endeavor, Usman was swiftly challenged by another competitor, Belal Muhammad. In the immediate aftermath of his win over Buckley, Usman found himself being put on the spot by Muhammad. ‘We share a past, been rivals for a while, and staging a bout between us is the logical next step. I know I am the top contender. I am game whenever he is ready,’ Muhammad declared in a recent video following the fight.
Muhammad is familiar with the harsh landscape of title fights, having recently suffered the loss of his welterweight title. His defeat came at the hands of Jack Della Maddalena during the UFC 315 event. Eager to reclaim his lost title, Belal Muhammad, known to fans as ‘Remember the Name,’ has been actively hunting for avenues for a resurgence.
His recent call-out to Kamaru Usman makes his intentions clear. Should Usman accept Muhammad’s challenge, it would set the stage for an adrenaline-pumping match. Notably, the proposition comes with an air of excitement and anticipation for fight enthusiasts around the globe. Readying himself for a possible face-off with Usman, Muhammad seems more determined than ever.