'Just needed to get that monkey off my back': Kamaru Usman after ending Joaquin Buckley’s streak at UFC Fight Night

Kamaru Usman expressed relief and satisfaction after snapping Joaquin Buckley’s impressive winning streak at UFC Fight Night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday night.

"Those knockouts will come," Usman, the former welterweight champion, said after the win. "I just needed to get that monkey off my back."

Usman (21-4 MMA) showcased his trademark wrestling and composure to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision victory (49-46, 49-46, 48-47).



Usman, who had been on a three-fight skid, controlled the first two rounds with clinical wrestling, taking Buckley (21-7 MMA) down at will and out-landing him 16-0 in significant strikes.

Buckley showed signs of life in Round 3, landing some clean shots early, but Usman responded with a third successful takedown and maintained top control for the final two minutes, briefly advancing to mount.

Round 4 remained largely on the feet, with Buckley landing his best combinations of the night. However, Usman once again took the fight to the ground, ending the round in back mount.


In the final round, both fighters traded strikes, but Buckley couldn’t mount a late comeback. The win marked Usman’s first since losing the welterweight title in November 2021, re-establishing his presence in the division with a composed and clinical showing.

Buckley remained gracious in defeat, taking his first loss in the welterweight division in stride.

“We’re just getting started, baby,” Buckley said after the bout. “We’ll be back.”