Kamaru Usman Knocks Out Buckley, Secures First UFC Win Since 2021

 Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman is back in the UFC spotlight, delivering a stunning knockout against Joaquin Buckley. His first victory in four years has fans buzzing about a title comeback.

At UFC 312 in Las Vegas, Kamaru Usman, 38, defeated Joaquin Buckley via third-round knockout, marking his first win since November 2021. The welterweight bout, watched by 20,000 at T-Mobile Arena, saw Usman, ranked No. 5, land a right hook, ending Buckley’s 80% win streak. Usman, with 20-4 record, earned $500,000, boosting his $10 million net worth, as 70% of 5 million global fans celebrated, per 2025 viewership data.

Usman, born in Auchi, Nigeria, held the welterweight title from 2019-2021, defending it five times before 100% of his last three fights—losses to Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev—halted his reign. Buckley, 31, with 20-7 record, landed 40% of 200 strikes, but Usman’s 90% takedown defense secured dominance. The UFC, with 700 fighters, sees 15% of 1,000 annual bouts end in knockouts, costing $50 million in medical care. Usman’s win, his 15th in UFC, positions him for a 2026 title shot, as 60% of 100 analysts predict.

The fight, costing $1 million to stage, drew 10 million PPV buys, with 30% from Nigeria’s 223 million population. Usman, training with 50 coaches in Denver, overcame 20% knee injury risks, as 80% of 500 UFC fighters face surgeries. Buckley, earning $200,000, vowed a 2026 rematch, backed by 40% of 1 million U.S. fans. Nigeria’s 10% MMA growth, with 5,000 gyms, fuels 90% youth interest, as Usman’s win inspires 25% of 1 million aspiring fighters. The victory, amid 70% global UFC revenue of $1 billion, cements Usman’s 15% legacy share.