Fans had criticized Kamaru Usman for his consecutive losses, with many speculating that he might retire. However, the Nigerian fighter silenced the doubters with a dominant victory over Joaquin Buckley, re-establishing himself as a top contender in the welterweight division. Recently, Usman also shared his family’s emotional reactions following the win.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ secured a unanimous decision victory over Buckley with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. From the opening round, Usman displayed dominance through relentless ground and pound. Despite nearly two years away from the Octagon, fans witnessed a classic Usman performance.
After the fight, he released exclusive backstage footage, including the final episode of his training camp leading up to the Buckley bout, as well as clips from the fight itself. The footage also captured heartfelt moments as his family and friends celebrated the win with pure joy.
UFC lightweight star Justin Gaethje, who played a key role in Usman’s training camp, admitted he felt “ten times more nervous” watching Usman fight than when he’s competing himself. Usman also revealed just how emotional the victory was for him—something fans had already glimpsed during his post-fight interview in the Octagon.
Kamaru Usman Opens Up About Emotional Moments After Joaquin Buckley Win
Usman returned to top form at UFC Atlanta, showcasing the dominance that once made him a long-reigning welterweight champion. He secured a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47—his first victory since 2021.
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Speaking with TMZ Sports, Usman reflected on the emotional weight of the moment, saying, “I didn’t even realize until people started saying that, ‘Oh, you haven’t won a fight since 2021.’ It kind of stuck with me, and it hurt me a bit.”
Usman’s emotional post-fight Octagon interview revealed how much the win meant to him. He also hinted at one final title run, sharing that if Islam Makhachev moves up and wins the welterweight belt, facing him for the title could be a fitting way to end his career.
Also Read: UFC Welterweight Makes A Bold Claim Saying Islam Makhachev Is Not A ‘Big Threat’
