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 resolution within the UFC Atlanta most important 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 reduce 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 practically 4 years.
“It feels good,” Usman stated 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 degree. Typically if you’re going up towards a younger, hungry man like that, very gifted, very aggressive, you’ve bought to tug out the abilities and use the expertise. That’s what I did tonight.
“I anticipated him to be actually, actually powerful, which he was. I do know what it takes to work and stand up in right here. Thanks to him for bringing every little thing that he introduced.”
It didn’t take lengthy for Usman to shut the space 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 regarded caught on the underside with no likelihood to scramble or escape.
Whereas Usman appeared extra prepared to trade with Buckley within the second, he finally arrange one other takedown towards the cage. Usman was completely 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 strong proper hook as soon as he bought again on his ft, 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.
Figuring out 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 properly earlier than exploding ahead for 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 current layoff that his knees have been shot and he may not take anyone down.
“I do know it’s a operating joke,” Usman stated. “All people needs to get on the web and speak shit. Oh his knees, his knees! Properly shut the f*ck up, I can nonetheless do what I do.”
It wasn’t till 5 minutes remained that Buckley was lastly in a position to stuff Usman’s takedowns, which introduced the gang to its ft. Usman continued to strain ahead and Buckley swung with enormous energy behind each punch simply making an attempt to get the knockout.
Buckley positively had his moments and received 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 anyone who’s often known as the most effective,” Buckley stated after the loss. “One of many GOATs to do it. For us to go 5 rounds, to placed on an incredible combat, I’m simply so joyful. I’ve executed come a great 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 positively served discover to the division that he’s again and prepared for anyone the UFC throws at him.
“I can do this to anyone,” Usman stated. “Any one in all them. These knockouts will come, I simply wanted this monkey off my again. The remainder of the welterweight division, pay attention — I’ve been and all the time would be the f*cking boogeyman.”
