Kamaru Usman has the chance to prove he still has gas in the tank against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta.
Between their latest pay-per-view, UFC 316 in Newark, and a promotional debut in Azerbaijan, mixed martial arts’ leading organization has taken the Octagon back to Atlanta.
Headlining Saturday’s card at State Farm Arena is a crucial welterweight clash between Usman and Buckley, as the former champion looks to reignite his ambition for a return to the throne.
Almost three years on from Leon Edwards knocking Usman out in dramatic fashion, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ hasn’t tasted victory since being unseated.
If that’s to change on June 14, one of Usman’s UFC peers says that the ex-champ absolutely must do one thing against Buckley.
Stephen Thompson concerned for Kamaru Usman if he can’t take Joaquin Buckley down
During a recent interview with Bodog Canada, veteran UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson provided his breakdown and prediction for the upcoming main event in his division.
‘Wonderboy’ is well aware of the threat posed by ‘New Mansa’ inside the cage. Thompson was brutally stopped by Buckley in the final round of their UFC 307 clash last October.
Having seen the charging 31-year-old batter Colby Covington in his most recent fight, Thompson doesn’t envision Usman being able to win unless he can impose his wrestling will in Atlanta.
“Been a while since Usman fought,” Thompson said. “Buckley, man, he’s killing it right now. You saw what he did with Colby Covington. You saw those two fights with Usman and Colby.
“I think it’s a very tough fight for Usman. Buckley’s strong, he’s got great striking, he’s explosive, takedown defense is on point.
“If he can keep the fight standing, I think Buckley’s got it,” Thompson added.
Gilbert Burns lays out the blueprint for Kamaru Usman to beat Joaquin Buckley
‘Wonderboy’ isn’t the only prominent UFC welterweight sharing that sentiment.
One of Usman’s former opponents and teammates, Gilbert Burns, gave a similar assessment during an episode of his Show Me The Money podcast.
“I want Kamaru to win,” Burns said. “At the gym, we had one of the guys that smashed Buckley back in the day. Logan Storley just outwrestled him, ground and pounded him. It shows Kamaru the way.
“I think Kamaru has to mix it up. I think he was the best at the time when he was mixing it up. Not just striking. I kinda called that he was gonna lose to Leon. At that time, he wasn’t wrestling anymore.
“Whenever he mixes it up, sometimes he’ll wrestle not just to wrestle, (but to) wrestle just to make this guy think about it and then strike better, get loose. Take this guy down, make this guy tired.
“Buckley is very muscular, very strong. If he lets Buckley out of pressure, Buckley is very, very dangerous. I think the way for Kamaru is to put pressure. I hope he wins. I think he can.”
Having made his struggles with knee injuries known in recent years, it remains to be seen whether Usman is physically capable of delivering the kind of dominant grappling performances that took him all the way to a legendary welterweight title reign in the UFC.