Kamaru Usman reminded the entire world that he’s nonetheless one of many biggest welterweights of all time after he placed on a classic efficiency to close down Joaquin Buckley and win a one-sided determination within the UFC Atlanta essential occasion.
It was a show of wrestling and floor dominance after Usman took Buckley down in every of the primary spherical rounds and completely mauled him on the canvas. Usman opened up a minimize early and continued to hammer away at Buckley each time he dragged him down.
Whereas Buckley made a valiant comeback try within the fifth spherical, Usman was already too far forward to catch up and he secured the victory — his first in almost 4 years.
“It feels good,” Usman mentioned in regards to the win. “It’s been some time, I wanted to get that monkey off my again. I do know I’m nonetheless in a position to do that on the highest stage. Typically while you’re going up towards a younger, hungry man like that, very proficient, very aggressive, you’ve bought to drag out the talents and use the expertise. That’s what I did tonight.
“I anticipated him to be actually, actually robust, which he was. I do know what it takes to work and stand up in right here. Thanks to him for bringing every part that he introduced.”
It didn’t take lengthy for Usman to shut the gap and instantly snatch a well-timed takedown to place Buckley on his again. Usman placed on a workmanlike efficiency for the rest of the opening spherical as he peppered away at Buckley with punches whereas seeking to advance his place.
A brief elbow from Usman additionally sliced open Buckley, who simply seemed caught on the underside with no probability to scramble or escape.
Whereas Usman appeared extra prepared to change with Buckley within the second, he ultimately arrange one other takedown towards the cage. Usman was totally dominant on the bottom and Buckley was virtually misplaced, simply holding on and hoping for a standup from the referee.
Buckley lastly related with a stable proper hook as soon as he bought again on his toes, however Usman ate the shot and got here proper again at him. A second later, Usman was deep on a single leg takedown and he dragged Buckley to the canvas for the third time in as many makes an attempt.
Usman was relentless along with his strain as he continued hammering away with punches and elbows till the horn sounded to finish the third.
Realizing that he was down huge on the scorecards, Buckley needed to get extra reckless and he managed to attach with a few his finest punches, however Usman absorbed the injury nicely earlier than exploding ahead for yet one more takedown. Buckley then spent the ultimate two minutes with Usman again on prime of him blasting away with punches with virtually no worry of reprisal.
The wrestling show from Usman additionally earned a fiery response from the previous champion after he heard continuous criticism throughout his latest layoff that his knees had been shot and he might now not take anyone down.
“I do know it’s a operating joke,” Usman mentioned. “All people desires to get on the web and discuss shit. Oh his knees, his knees! Effectively shut the f*ck up, I can nonetheless do what I do.”
It wasn’t till 5 minutes remained that Buckley was lastly capable of stuff Usman’s takedowns, which introduced the group to its toes. Usman continued to strain ahead and Buckley swung with big energy behind each punch simply making an attempt to get the knockout.
Buckley undoubtedly had his moments and gained the spherical, however he couldn’t do sufficient injury to truly damage or put Usman away.
“I’m past simply honored to be on this octagon with any individual who’s generally known as top-of-the-line,” Buckley mentioned after the loss. “One of many GOATs to do it. For us to go 5 rounds, to placed on an incredible struggle, I’m simply so glad. I’ve accomplished come a good distance and also you all see me right here. This ain’t going to be the top. We simply getting began.”
The win instantly vaults Usman again into the title image at 170 kilos the place he reigned as champion for over three years. His efficiency on Saturday undoubtedly served discover to the division that he’s again and prepared for anyone the UFC throws at him.
“I can try this to anyone,” Usman mentioned. “Any considered one of them. These knockouts will come, I simply wanted this monkey off my again. The remainder of the welterweight division, hear — I’ve been and at all times would be the f*cking boogeyman.”
