Kamaru Usman fights back tears after beating Joaquin Buckley to earn first UFC win since 2021
Usman, who retained the welterweight title five times during a three-year reign, used his wrestling prowess to dominate Buckley for four rounds, before surviving a fifth-round scare to earn a unanimous-decision win.
Advertisement
The scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 in Usman's favour, as the Nigerian-American snapped a three-fight losing streak. In doing so, he also broke Buckley's six-fight winning run.
Usman had last scored a victory in November 2021, outpointing old rival Colby Covington in his final successful title defence. Then, in August 2022, he was en route to a comfortable decision win over Leon Edwards before succumbing to a dramatic, late knockout.
Usman, who previously outpointed Edwards in 2015, lost their trilogy bout on points in 2023, failing to regain the 170lb title. Then, in October 2023, he stepped in to face the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev on short notice. In what was Usman's middleweight debut, he performed admirably but lost via decision.
Usman, 38, returned to welterweight to face the in-form Buckley on Saturday (14 June), where he defied his doubters with an impressive performance, which gave way to an emotional post-fight interview.
Advertisement
'It feels good,' he said in the cage. 'It's been a while, I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I'm still able to do this at the highest level. Sometimes when you're going up against a young, hungry guy like that – very talented, very aggressive – you've got to pull out the skills and use the experience.
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (Getty Images)
'That's what I did tonight. I expected him to be really, really tough, which he was. I know what it takes to work and get up in here. Thank you to him for bringing everything that he brought.
'I know it's a running joke, everybody wants to get on the internet and talk s***: 'Oh, his knees, his knees [are done]!' Well, shut the f*** up. I can still do what I do. The rest of the welterweight division, listen: I have been and always will be the f*****g boogeyman.'
Advertisement
'I can do that to anybody, any one of them. Those knockouts will come, I just needed this monkey off my back. Next one, whoever it is for that title, I'll see about you.'
An emotional Usman also referenced his daughter's absence from the Fight Night, saying: 'Before I go, I just wanted to say that I have a lot of emotions coming into this one [...] a lot of things that I had to battle back from. I'm holding back all the emotions.
'Unfortunately, my daughter can't be here with me tonight. That's another long story. But man, I just want to say thank you to everybody – thank you to my family, my coaches who kept me going, Buckley for bringing the challenge.'
Jaoquin Buckley must go back to the drawing board (Getty)
Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion, is due to defend the belt later this year against Islam Makhachev, who recently vacated the lightweight strap.
'JDM' won the belt in May by outpointing Belal Muhammad, who is now calling for a fight with Usman, but the 'Nigerian Nightmare' has insisted he only wants a title shot next.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Browns must inquire about TE Noah Fant
The Cleveland Browns are still a bit light at the tight end position, and a recently released first round pick fits the bill of the kind of players they like to take chances on. Noah Fant, a 2019 first round pick of the Denver Broncos, was released by the Seattle Seahawks over the weekend. With only David Njoku and rookie third round pick Harold Fannin Jr. as the only two tight ends of relevance on the roster, the Browns could look to kick the tires on the athletic receiving threat. The Browns have been quite vocal that they are looking to get two or three tight ends back on the field with frequency, returning to an offensive system that yielded fruitful results before the 2023 season. Fant fits their mold, both athletically and in their tendency to take flyers on former first rounders, but would also fill a need that will currently be battled out between Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates. Fant, while he has never found the success that many anticipated he would, has racked up over 3,300 yards and 15 touchdowns over his six-year career. He has been a consistent 500-yard receiver, and with the Browns lacking firepower in their wide receiver room, getting more versatile weapons in their tight end room may be their best bet to add talented pass catchers to their offense. With training camp beginning today, the Browns would want to get Fant in the building sooner rather than later. Will the Browns make a splash move? This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns must sign newly released TE Noah Fant
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kinetic Sponsors 5th Annual Kannapolis Cannon Ballers "Camp Day"
More than $25,000 donated over the years to host annual YMCA children's camps KANNAPOLIS, N.C., July 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since 2020, Kinetic and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers have coordinated with youth organizations like the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and others across North Carolina to provide tickets for children to attend a free summer baseball game experience totaling more than $25,000 over the sponsorship. The 5th Annual Camp Day continued the tradition of participants watching the Cannon Ballers on their home turf at Atrium Health Ballpark. "We look forward to this event every year," said Stacy Hale, president of Kinetic Operations in North Carolina. "As a local internet provider, we live in this community and our children are part of these programs too. It's so special to give back to these youth events every year for families in the community." Every year children ages 3-10 experience the joys of a summer day at the ballpark with their friends and families. As part of the full experience, campers also receive a complimentary lunch during the game. In addition to the children, family members are welcome to participate in the day's events. "This partnership between the Cannon Ballers and Kinetic has been incredible for the youth and community over the years," said Matt Millward, general manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. "By sponsoring youth camps like these, special event fireworks and our stadium Wi-Fi, the Atrium Health Ballpark experience is always the best it can be for those who enjoy an afternoon or evening at the ballpark." Kinetic is the proud sponsor of the complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi offered within the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers' stadium. The wireless internet seamlessly connects visitors during their stay throughout the park. As it looks to the future, Kinetic remains dedicated to continuing this tradition and exploring new ways to support and give back to the communities it serves. For questions about Kinetic internet services or eligibility, visit our website at About Kinetic: Kinetic, a Windstream company, offers fiber-based broadband to residential and small business customers in 18 states. The company's quality-first approach connects customers to new opportunities and possibilities by delivering a full suite of advanced communications services. Kinetic is one of three brands managed by Windstream. The company also offers managed cloud communications and security services to mid-to-large enterprises and government entities across the U.S. as well as customized wavelength and dark fiber solutions to carriers, content providers and hyperscalers in the U.S. and Canada. Windstream is a privately held company headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. Additional information about Kinetic is available at or Category: Kinetic View source version on Contacts Kinetic Contact: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Big Ten commish Tony Petitti sent letter to NCAA arguing no further punishment for Michigan in Connor Stalions case: Report
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti caught a lot of flak from Michigan fans when the conference punished the school as part of the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. Now, however, Petitti might prove to be the school's biggest ally. Petitti reportedly sent a letter to the NCAA arguing against issuing further punishments to Michigan as part of the Stalions scandal, per Dan Wetzel of ESPN. That letter was reportedly read during an infractions-committee meeting in June. The NCAA is expected to hand down additional penalties to Michigan ahead of the 2025 season. The organization charged Michigan with 11 rule violations, six of which were considered Level 1, which the NCAA labels as a "severe breach of conduct." The committee has yet to issue additional punishments from those violations. Despite Petitti's plea, the committee does not have to listen to his advice. Petitti already punished Michigan for the Stalions sign-stealing scandal. In 2023, Petitti suspended Jim Harbaugh for three games. In response, Michigan sought a temporary restraining order to prevent that suspension from taking effect. Harbaugh wound up serving the suspension, but Michigan won every game during his absence, and then the Wolverines went on to win the national championship. In his letter, Petitti reportedly argued that the suspension was adequate, and that the university shouldn't be subjected to additional punishments for the Stalions scandal. Following that national championship win, Harbaugh left Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers. He led the team to an 11-6 record in his first season back in the NFL. After Harbaugh left, Michigan promoted offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore into the head-coaching role. Moore led the team to an 8-5 record in his first season with the team. It's unclear whether the NCAA will hand down additional punishments as part of the Stalions scandal. The organization could consider "vacating past victories, a postseason ban, the suspension of coaches, a monetary fine or other measures," per ESPN. In May, the university recommended a two-game suspension for Moore during the 2025 season after he allegedly deleted a text-message chain with Stalions after the sign-stealing scandal was discovered. Those texts were reportedly recovered by the NCAA. Since Petitti's original punishment 2023, the NCAA handed down penalties to Michigan for issues unrelated to the Stalions scandal. In 2024, Harbaugh was suspended for a year and given a four-year show-clause penalty for recruiting violations. He — along with Moore and the entire program — could face even more punishments depending on how the infractions committee rules ahead of the 2025 season.
