Usman vs New Welterweights: Can He Still Compete?
- Kamaru Usman,the former welterweight champion,is set to battle Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta.
- Buckley, a rising contender, directly challenged Usman's position, asking how it felt to face the "new gen." Buckley enters the fight on a six-fight win streak,having specifically requested...
- He brushed off Buckley's pre-fight query, stating he prefers to do his talking in the Octagon.
Kamaru Usman faces Joaquin Buckley in a pivotal welterweight clash, igniting the burning question: Can the former champion, Kamaru Usman, still compete? Buckley, a rising star, questions Usman’s place against the “new gen,” adding high stakes to this UFC Fight Night bout. Usman, seeking to silence doubters and reclaim his former glory, eyes the winner of Della maddalena vs. Makhachev. His goal? A shot at the title and potentially, a move to middleweight, reflecting the champion’s ambition. Will Usman’s experience prevail against Buckley’s rising momentum? News Directory 3 has the latest updates for you.Discover what’s next in the welterweight division.
Kamaru usman Faces Joaquin Buckley: Can He Reclaim UFC Glory?
Updated June 13,2025
Kamaru Usman,the former welterweight champion,is set to battle Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta. The fight marks Usman’s return as he seeks to prove he remains a force in the 170-pound division.
Buckley, a rising contender, directly challenged Usman’s position, asking how it felt to face the “new gen.” Buckley enters the fight on a six-fight win streak,having specifically requested this matchup late last year.The question lingers: Can the aging champion still compete at the highest level, or will Buckley become his downfall?
Usman, 38, last fought in October 2023. He brushed off Buckley’s pre-fight query, stating he prefers to do his talking in the Octagon. Once considered the top pound-for-pound fighter, Usman experienced a setback with a knockout loss to Leon Edwards in August 2022, followed by a loss in their immediate rematch and a defeat against Khamzat Chimaev.
Usman said he used his time away from fighting to address nagging injuries and focus on other aspects of his life. He said he waited for the right prospect to return, rather than taking short-notice fights. The upcoming bout against Buckley represents that opportunity.
If Kamaru Usman pulls off an upset against Buckley, he has clear goals. He wants to challenge the winner of the expected Jack Della Maddalena versus Islam Makhachev title fight. Moreover, Usman envisions a future where he moves up to middleweight for a shot at a second title, potentially against Dricus Du Plessis or Khamzat chimaev.
“I’ll lay out the plan right here,” Usman said. “Finish buckley this weekend, then wait for the winner of Islam and [Della Maddalena]. Who wouldn’t buy a ticket to the former pound-for-pound [Usman] against the current pound-for-pound [Makhachev]? I think that’s something Islam and I would both remember forever.”
Usman’s aspiring plans reflect a champion’s mindset. While skepticism may exist,a dominant performance against Buckley would undoubtedly reignite the conversation about his place among the elite. The central question remains: Can Kamaru Usman overcome the challenge of the new generation?
What’s next
The outcome of the Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley fight will significantly impact the welterweight division.A win for Usman positions him for a title shot, while a victory for Buckley solidifies his status as a top contender.