Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman delivered a vintage performance in a high-stakes showdown. Right from the opening round, he turned up the intensity and defeated Joaquin Buckley, likely securing a title shot in the process. With dominant ground-and-pound, the former champ showcased his elite skills and walked away with a massive payday from the UFC event in Atlanta.
At UFC Atlanta, Usman reminded fans why he once ruled the welterweight division for 1,267 days. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ looked like his prime self, securing a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. According to SportySalaries, Usman became the highest-paid fighter of the night, taking home a guaranteed purse of $500,000. His total earnings could climb to $1 million with sponsorship deals included.
On the other hand, Buckley, also known as ‘New Mansa,’ earned a guaranteed $325,000, with a potential total payout of up to $741,000. Usman also bagged an extra $50,000 for ‘Fight of the Night’ honors, while Malcolm Wellmaker and Jose Ochoa received $50,000 each for ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses.
Belal Muhammad Calls Out Kamaru Usman For No. 1 Contender Fight
Usman appeared to be back in peak form as he earned a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley. Fans witnessed Usman unleash brutal elbows during the fight, leaving Buckley with a cut near his eye that visibly affected him throughout the bout. Following the win, Belal Muhammad promptly called out ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. In a recent video, Muhammad said,
“We have history, we’ve been going back and forth. It’s a clear No. 1 contender fight. I’m still the No. 1 contender. He can pick the time, date, and place. I’ll be ready. Hopefully, the UFC makes it.”
Belal Muhammad wants a No. 1 contender fight with Kamaru Usman and was hoping Usman would call him out 🔥
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 15, 2025
"We have history, we've been going back and forth. It's a clear No. 1 contender fight. I'm still the No. 1 contender. He can pick the time, date, and place. I'll be ready.… pic.twitter.com/TOlPHaztqd
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Muhammad recently lost his welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Since the defeat, ‘Remember the Name’ has actively sought a comeback fight, and now he has targeted Kamaru Usman. If this matchup comes together, it promises to be an electrifying showdown.
Also Read: UFC Atlanta: What Are The Walkout Songs Used By Kamaru Usman & Joaquin Buckley?
