Kamaru Usman is not interested in a ‘Meaningless’ fight with Joaquin Buckley

Last week at UFC Tampa, the final event of the year, UFC welterweight star Joaquin Buckley emerged as the biggest highlight of the night. In a one-sided contest, ‘New Mansa’ dismantled Colby Covington in just three rounds, opening a cut above Covington’s right eye that forced the ringside doctor to stop the fight. With a flawless 4-0 record this year, the 30-year-old fighter shows no signs of slowing down as he dominates the division.

After his victory, Buckley wasted no time calling out his next potential opponents, including current champion Belal Muhammad, Leon Edwards, and the Nigerian Nightmare, Kamaru Usman, boldly stating, “I think it’s Kamaru Usman, baby. Let’s fight.”

While Edwards and Muhammad have yet to respond, Kamaru Usman, now 37 years old, has declined the callout, dampening Buckley’s hopes for a clash. On his ‘P4P’ podcast, Usman addressed Buckley’s challenge, saying, “When I’m healthy, I’ll beat all of you. I don’t care who it is, but one thing I won’t do—and I’ve done it for too long—is compete when I’m not ready. I remember watching Buckley’s fight and thinking, ‘I like that fight.’ When I’m healthy, I’ll dominate anyone, no matter who it is.”

The Decline of the Nigerian Nightmare

Once a dominant force in the welterweight division with a historic 15-fight win streak, Kamaru Usman earned the nickname ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ for his relentless performances. However, his aura of invincibility has waned following a tough loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 2023. Entering the fight on short notice, Usman succumbed to Chimaev in the third round. After the bout, Chimaev remarked that “The Nigerian Nightmare only took the fight for the paycheck.”

Rumors have circulated recently that Usman might make a short-notice return at UFC 310, following the cancellation of the welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov due to Muhammad’s bone infection. However, reflecting on his experiences, the former champion has opted against taking another short-notice fight. Now, fans are left wondering: if not Buckley, who will Usman face in his comeback?

Who’s Next for Kamaru Usman?

It’s been over a year since the former welterweight champion stepped inside the octagon. Three consecutive losses—including the devastating head-kick KO by Leon Edwards that cost him the title—have shaken his confidence. Known for accepting fights on extremely short notice—sometimes with as little as 10, 6, or even 5 days’ notice—Usman has taken a longer break to recover and reassess his path forward.

While rumors of potential opponents continue to swirl, none have materialized into a confirmed fight, leaving fans eager for the Nigerian Nightmare’s return. Some speculate that Usman might aim for a high-profile matchup against rising stars like Shavkat Rakhmonov or even a rematch with Leon Edwards to settle unfinished business. Others believe he could target a legacy fight against a veteran rival like Stephen Thompson or Jorge Masvidal to reignite his career.

Joaquin Buckley: A Star on the Rise

Meanwhile, Joaquin Buckley’s stock continues to rise. With his dominant performance against Colby Covington, Buckley has firmly established himself as a top contender in the welterweight division. His confidence and brash personality have made him a polarizing figure, and his willingness to call out the division’s elite shows that he’s ready for the next big challenge.

“I don’t back down from anyone,” Buckley said in a post-fight interview. “If Usman doesn’t want to fight, that’s on him. I’m here to take on the best and prove I’m the future of this division.”

The Legacy Question

As Kamaru Usman nears the twilight of his career, the question of legacy looms large. With his once-untouchable reputation now under scrutiny, every decision carries weight. Declining a fight with an up-and-comer like Joaquin Buckley could be seen as a calculated move to preserve his legacy—or as a sign of hesitation from a fighter no longer at his peak.

On the flip side, Joaquin Buckley continues to carve his path to stardom, undeterred by Usman’s rejection. The clash between their trajectories—one fighter on the rise, the other potentially on the decline—adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing narrative.

For now, the spotlight remains on Usman’s next move. Whether he returns to reclaim his former glory or fades into the background of a stacked welterweight division, one thing is clear: the Nigerian Nightmare’s legacy hangs in the balance.