Is Kamaru Usman Still a Contender?
In a division full of hungry, up-and-coming contenders, it’s easy to forget about an undisputed legend of the game. Kamaru Usman is without a doubt one of the greatest Welterweights of all time. Usman reached the pinnacle of the sport in 2019, when he dominated Tyron Woodley en route to claiming the Welterweight throne. After winning the Welterweight Championship, Usman would embark on a run full of bitter rivalries, dominating victories, and one of the greatest knockouts against Jorge Masvidal. After five Welterweight Championship defenses, Kamaru Usman would suffer one of the most heartbreaking defeats in UFC history. In the final minute of the fifth round of a fight, Usman was winning, but Leon Edwards would connect with a devastating headkick, ending Usman’s reign.
After the unforgettable loss to Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman would go winless in his next three fights. Usman’s last fight would be in 2023 against the undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev. Usman would take Chimaev to his absolute limits, but would ultimately fall short via unanimous decision. The fight with Chimaev would prove Usman still has what it takes to hang with the next generation of fighters, but that was two years ago. The year is now 2025, and Kamaru Usman is 37 years old. In a sport that favors the young and where activity is key, fans wonder if Usman is still a serious contender.
Kamaru Usman will take on Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta on June 14th. Buckley is perhaps the best representation of the new breed of Welterweights the division currently hosts. Finding limited success in the Middleweight Division, Buckley would move down to the Welterweight Division in 2023. ‘New Mansa’ would go on a tear in the Welterweight Division, winning his last six fights. Buckley will be entering his June 14th bout on the heels of his biggest win against Usman’s bitter rival, Colby Covington.
The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ has made his career on the back of his dominant wrestling. However, Buckley has shown excellent takedown defense since moving to Welterweight, especially in his fight against Colby Covington. Stylistically, Joaquin Buckley is perhaps the toughest opponent Kamaru Usman could have taken. Buckley’s strength and superior striking make him a tough opponent for anyone, not just an aging veteran like Usman. However, Kamaru Usman believes he can return to the Welterweight Championship picture. To do so, Usman has to halt Joaquin Buckley’s momentum and prove that he’s still the same guy who dominated the Welterweight Division for years.
