Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley prediction, H2H and probable lineups - June 15, 2025
Kamaru Usman
Joaquin Buckley
This Saturday in Las Vegas, the UFC Atlanta mixed martial arts event is set to electrify fans, headlined by a welterweight clash between Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley. We’re offering a high-value bet on the outcome of this thrilling bout.
Fight preview
Kamaru Usman — the former champion who simply can’t be counted out despite a recent string of setbacks. He remains a dangerous force: at his peak, he was untouchable in the clinch, dictated the pace inside the octagon, and boasted outstanding cardio. His fight with Chimaev proved that even after a layoff and without a full camp, Usman can push one of the division’s most feared wrestlers to the brink.
This time, Kamaru has enjoyed a full training camp, which is a massive advantage. Yes, he’s 38 now, but that age is offset by his experience, his ability to adapt mid-fight, and his deep arsenal both on the feet and on the ground. Usman still knows how to break an opponent’s rhythm, and if this fight goes into the championship rounds, his physicality and discipline could become decisive.
Joaquin Buckley comes in riding a wave of momentum — six consecutive wins, brutal finishes, brimming with confidence and aggression. He’s brash, explosive, and especially lethal in the first two rounds when he’s hunting for the knockout. His last outing against Covington was a statement at the elite level: Buckley dismantled his opponent, forcing the doctor to step in and stop the beating.
Yet, despite the hype, Buckley is still a fighter whose main weapon is his striking aggression. He’s never won by submission and has never truly been tested on the ground by a wrestler of Usman’s caliber. If this fight turns into a grappling battle or goes deep into the later rounds, questions about Buckley’s stamina and big-fight experience will become very real.
Key facts about the matchup
- Kamaru Usman is on a three-fight losing streak, but two of those defeats were highly controversial decisions.
- Of Buckley’s 21 professional wins, 15 have come by knockout.
- Despite the age gap, Usman holds a clear advantage in physical attributes: he stands 10 cm taller than Buckley and sports a longer reach.
Prediction
Despite his age and recent decline, Kamaru Usman is not the kind of veteran you can just write off. He’s smart, composed, tactically versatile, and has the full skill set needed to win. He possesses the wrestling prowess to neutralize Buckley’s striking threats and the experience to secure rounds in the clinch or against the cage. Our pick for this fight: "Total over 3.5 rounds" at odds of 1.79.
