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Thursday, Dec 19, 2024

Kamaru Usman Weighs in on Potential Fight With Joaquin Buckley

Kamaru Usman (image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Colby Covington came up short against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa. But Covington’s former rival, Kamaru Usman, is confident a fight between him and Buckley would unfold very differently.

Buckley was largely able to negate Covington’s pressuring style and wrestling game by defending multiple takedowns and outstriking the controversial fighter. A large cut Buckley opened over the right eye of Covington early on, ultimately led to the fight’s stoppage in round three.

After the bout, Usman was one of the men Buckley called out for his next opponent. So, in a follow-up episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman weighed in on how he thinks a fight with Buckley would go (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“I remember watching the Buckley fight and I was drained from the whole card, but I remember watching going, ‘Oh, I like that fight. I really like that matchup,’” Usman said. “Covington took him down a couple of times. Obviously, me and Covington utilize the wrestling differently and how we approach fights. Most people know when I take you down, you’re not getting up unless I want you to get up, and so it’s different.

“I remember watching the fight and I’m going Buckley did great. First of all, shout out to Buckley, he did great for being able to go through a guy like Covington. With Covington having that long layoff, I don’t know how he’s going to show up, but everybody knows as the fight gets later, Covington gets a little bit more comfortable, so it was going to be how quick he was able to get the ring rust off and get going. Buckley didn’t really allow him to do that.

The 37-year-old Usman (20-4) hasn’t fought since he faced Khamzat Chimaev on short notice in October, 2023, and lost via majority decision. He is currently ranked #3 in the UFC’s welterweight division.

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posted by FCF Staff @ 10:17 am
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