UFC Atlanta: Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley: Live round-by-round updates
Joaquin Buckley’s climb through the welterweight ranks gets its biggest test this weekend at UFC Atlanta. Buckley is set to face former UFC 170-pound champion Kamaru Usman in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in a showdown that pits seasoned veteran against towering challenger.
Usman returns to his home division for the first time since 2022, looking to snap a three-fight skid that’s seemingly dulled his once-dominant aura. 'The Nigerian Nightmare' built one of the most impressive win streaks in UFC history and aims to recapture lost ground starting with a win this weekend. At 38, with his last win nearly two years behind him, the pressure is on to show he still has the tools to slow the sport’s younger wave.
Across from him stands Buckley, who has reinvented himself at 170 pounds. Since dropping down from middleweight, he has looked sharper, faster, and more composed. Undefeated in six straight, including a breakout 2024 that saw him dismantle names like Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington, Buckley now plans to add the biggest name to his resume.
UFC Atlanta Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Disney+. The main card is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+.
Round 1
Buckley opens with short jabs and an overhand right. Usman shoots for a takedown, ducking under Buckley's attack, and secures it. He's in top control now, smothering Buckley with elbows. Usman is blanketing Buckley and keeping him tucked against the fence. He's applying pressure and all of his body weight to tire out Buckley and take some wind out of the punches in potential striking exchanges eventually. Usman is landing beautiful elbows from the top. He has opened up a cut above the right eye of Buckley. Dominant round from the former UFC welterweight champion.
Our Score: 10-9 Usman
Round 2
Buckley's confidence seems to have eroded a little with the lopsided opening to the fight. Usman is keeping Buckley at a distance with straight teep kicks to the body. An all striking affair in the second round so far. He shoots for a takedown and gets it with ease. Usman is on the top control again and continues to attack with elbows. In terms of position, Usman has picked up from where he left off in the first round. He continues to smother his rival with punches.
Our Score: 10-9 Usman (20-18 overall)
Round 3
Buckley is seemingly tired, and his attacks seem labored now. Buckley needs to punish Usman every time he shoots for a takedown and command some respect. Buckley staggers Usman with a three-punch combination. He lands a beautiful combination, and Usman immediately takes his opponent down. Usman continues to attack with punches from top control. He's making Buckley carry all of his body weight.
Our Score: 10-9 Usman (30-27 overall)
Round 4
Buckley has shown that he could hurt Usman with the uppercut. He needs to time it perfectly as Usman shoots for the takedown. He switches to the orthodox stance now and lands a two-punch combination. He's hurting Usman every time he gets inside range. Buckley stuffs a takedown attempt by Usman. He's winning this round so far up until this point. Buckley stuffs another takedown, but Usman eventually gets his opponent down. He's dominating with hand control, leg control, and secures another round.
Our Score: 10-9 Usman (40-36 overall)
Round 5
Buckley stings Usman with a three-punch combination. Usman shoots for a single leg, but Buckley stuffs it. He needs to pour on the pressure and force striking exchanges. Two straight left hands from Buckley. Usman has shot multiple takedown attempts, but Buckley's wrestling defence has held up. Buckley is swinging with wild punches now. Buckley needs to empty the gas tank. Usman is doing a good job of avoiding the striking exchanges. Buckley staggers Usman with two uppercuts.
Our Score: 10-9 Buckley (49-46 overall)
Official Result
Kamaru Usman defeats Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)