Joaquin Buckley has his sights set on a fast track to the welterweight title, and he’s not pulling any punches in his campaign. Fresh off a knockout win over former title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 307, “New Mansa” is eager to take on former champ Kamaru Usman to cement his status as a top contender. With a perfect 5-0 record in the division, Buckley believes that taking down Usman would prove he’s ready for a title shot. “I think I can knock out Usman — immediately,” Buckley confidently told reporters.
But Usman, a former welterweight king who has been on the receiving end of multiple callouts lately, isn’t jumping at the opportunity. On his Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman acknowledged Buckley’s streak but pointed out the relentless competition he faces. “Take a number and get in line,” Usman said, noting that Buckley is one of several fighters eyeing a bout with him. Usman, now 37, is focused on rehabbing and rebuilding after a tough stretch, including three straight losses and a recent defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 280.
While Buckley’s knockout streak has put him on the map, Usman hinted that he’s not rushing to step back into the Octagon. Reflecting on his own long journey and recent battles with injuries, he admitted, “I’ve fought injured for so long… but at some point, it does catch up to you.” Usman emphasized he’s still in the mix, aiming to return stronger after he’s addressed these challenges.
For Buckley, however, time is of the essence. The 30-year-old wants to keep his momentum going, and a victory over Usman would be a major career milestone. But as Usman continues to focus on self-recovery, Buckley may need to look elsewhere if he’s determined to stay active and work his way toward a title shot.
