UFC welterweight sensation Joaquin Buckley says he’s confident of knocking out former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman when they clash in the main event of UFC on ESPN 69, taking place Saturday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) returns to the octagon for the first time since his unanimous decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev, a fight he accepted on short notice in the middleweight division. The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ heads into this bout on the back of three straight losses in the UFC.
In contrast, Buckley enters the fight riding a six-fight win streak, with four of those victories coming by knockout.
Tensions were high during Friday’s weigh-in as both fighters engaged in a fierce staredown. Adding to the spectacle, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made a surprise appearance, escorting Usman to the podium.
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Unfazed by the intense face-off or Ngannou’s presence, Buckley exuded confidence, claiming he could sense Usman’s doubts ahead of the showdown.
“Hold up! With my big ears and his big head, I can hear those thoughts. He’s not confident, man! He’s getting knocked out,” Buckley declared after grabbing the microphone.
Buckley is currently ranked No. 7 in the welterweight division, while Usman holds the No. 5 spot. A win for either fighter would be a significant step toward another shot at the title.
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