Does This Former Welterweight Champion Have a Path to Victory Against Joaquin Buckley?
Kamaru Usman was the previous champion who dominated an entire era of the Welterweight Division. He possessed everything a fighter could want including skill, power, and relentless pressure until age began to catch up with him. Currently, Usman is on a three-fight losing streak. Each bout has been competitive and demonstrated he remains as skilled as ever but his durability has faded. Now he faces the young rising star Joaquin Buckley. The question is whether Usman can turn back the clock and prove he still belongs at the top.
Joaquin Buckley has defeated some of the best talent the Welterweight Division has to offer. He recently finished great fighters such as Luque, Wonderboy, and Colby Covington. Buckley more than deserves this fight and shows no weak spot in his game. He possesses great striking power, wrestling skills, and an incredible gas tank. He is truly in his prime. Does Kamaru Usman stand a chance against someone so skilled in their prime?
Kamaru Usman is very similar to Joaquin Buckley. He is an all-around fighter with solid power in his hands, relentless wrestling, and a great gas tank. The main concern is the wear and tear of a long and demanding career. Many fans would favor a prime Usman against a prime Buckley, and that fight might have ended with Usman securing a finish. That outcome feels unlikely at this stage. To win, Usman must push a high pace with consistent volume striking and pressure wrestling. If he is not striking, he must be actively pursuing takedowns, and if he is not wrestling, he should be landing punches. There can be no moments of inactivity. He will not win by landing the bigger shots, so volume will be the key. His path to defeat lies in succumbing to the constant pressure of Joaquin Buckley and fading under the intensity. Buckley has the tools to finish this version of Usman. The question is whether he will.
Many fans, including myself, consider Kamaru Usman to be the second-best Welterweight of all time. He has the record to back it up and in his prime, no one in the division was able to beat him. This fight takes place well beyond that prime and now he is facing an absolute killer. Kamaru Usman still has a chance to win if he can dig deep and push through, but based on how his last two fights played out, that energy may be gone. Expect a Joaquin Buckley finish or a dominant decision. Hopefully, this is not the last time we see Kamaru Usman compete.
