Overview

• Kamaru Usman returned from a 10-month layoff to dominate Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, earning a unanimous decision with scorecards of 49–46, 49–46 and 48–47.
• An emotional Usman shed tears in his post-fight interview as he reflected on battling self-doubt and physical setbacks to get “the monkey off his back.”
• Usman publicly demanded a title shot against whoever emerges victorious between current champion Jack Della Maddalena and lightweight king Islam Makhachev.
• Former welterweight contender Belal Muhammad fired back on social media, calling for a No. 1 contender bout that he argues makes more sense next.
• The division’s next steps now hinge on the JDM–Makhachev outcome and how the UFC positions its title picture as new contenders emerge.