After nearly two years away from competition, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is finally set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon. The 38-year-old will step back into action on June 14 at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. However, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ faces a tough challenge—he’s currently on a three-fight losing streak and will be taking on the red-hot Joaquin Buckley, who is riding an impressive six-fight winning streak.
‘New Mansa’ has rapidly emerged as one of the most dangerous threats in the 170lbs division, and a victory in Atlanta could potentially catapult him into the top 5. For Kamaru Usman, though, the stakes go beyond rankings. With the end of his career possibly in sight, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ understands this may be his final opportunity to solidify his legacy.
Determined to go out on his own terms, the ex NCAA star is preparing to give everything he has left in the tank. To set the tone ahead of their showdown, Usman took to X to fire off a message aimed directly at Joaquin Buckley, making his intentions crystal clear.
He wrote: “June 14th [at the State Farm Arena] in Atlanta ‘We go again’.”
At the upcoming UFC Fight Night event, 31-year-old Joaquin Buckley will enter as the fan favorite—riding a wave of momentum—while Kamaru Usman, once regarded as the most dominant welterweight in the world, finds himself in the unfamiliar role of underdog. From 2015 to 2021, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was a near-unstoppable force in the welterweight division. He amassed a remarkable 15-fight win streak, captured the UFC title, and successfully defended it five times. His reign was so dominant that UFC President Dana White didn’t hesitate to call him the “welterweight GOAT.”
Even during his peak, Kamaru Usman was no stranger to scrutiny. Critics questioned his style, his opponents, and his longevity. But fight after fight, he walked through the fire row of contenders and proving his mettle time and again. As Dana White famously put it, “He went through death f***ing row”—and the results backed it up.
“June 14th @statefarmarena in #Atlanta ‘We go again’ ”
June 14th @statefarmarena in #Atlanta “We go again” #UFCATL pic.twitter.com/1c7QitouxS
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 26, 2025
However, all reigns eventually face their reckoning. Kamaru Usman came at the hands of Leon Edwards. After suffering a stunning knockout loss in their second meeting, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ fell short again in the trilogy bout, unable to reclaim the 170-pound crown. Now, as the dust of past battles settles, Usman is focused on redemption. Hungry to get back in the win column and close out his legendary career on a high note, the former NCAA star is preparing for war. Let’s hear it from the man himself.
Kamaru Usman reacted to Dana White’s return announcement
Kamaru Usman last entered the Octagon in 2023, stepping up on short notice for a high-stakes middleweight bout against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. Despite delivering a gritty and determined performance over three hard-fought rounds, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ came up short, losing to the Chechen standout via majority decision. The loss effectively dashed his ambitions of a successful run in the 185-pound division.
In the aftermath, the ex-NCAA star made it clear he would return to his roots in the welterweight division—the weight class where he built his legendary run. Since that defeat, however, the former champion has remained on the sidelines, absent from competition for months.
Now, the wait is almost over. As revealed by Dana White last month, Kamaru Usman is set to make his much-anticipated comeback next month, facing off against the surging Joaquin Buckley. Speaking to Henry Cejudo on his podcast Pound 4 Pound, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ shared his enthusiasm and mindset ahead of his return:
“I’m tired of all the talking. I had to take a little bit of a sabbatical, like I’ve said. Now I’m back from that sabbatical. That’s right, Henry, you heard it right. Your boy is back in there. I’m ready to spin. You know what they say—if you wanna win, put Boobie in. I’m ready, Henry. I’m back in there June 14th, live from Atlanta, Georgia, taking on Joaquin Buckley.”
As Kamaru Usman prepares for his highly anticipated comeback, how do you see his fight against Joaquin Buckley playing out? Can the ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ silence the doubters and snap his skid against a surging ‘New Mansa’, who’s seven years his junior? Share your predictions below!
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