Buckley Calls Out Usman After TKO Win Over Thompson
On October 15, 2024, Joaquin Buckley had just knocked out Stephen Thompson at the October event and used the post-fight moment to call out former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Buckley argued that Usman should earn another title opportunity through wins in the division.
The Callout in Context
The argument followed Buckley’s third-round knockout of Thompson at 2:17. The UFC’s official result records the finish. At the time, Buckley was building a winning streak at welterweight, while Usman was coming off three consecutive losses.
They Eventually Fought
Usman and Buckley met in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Atlanta on June 14, 2025. Usman won by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 49–46, 49–46, and 48–47. The matchup turned Buckley’s callout into a direct test between the former champion and the rising contender.
Buckley’s Subsequent Results
Before facing Usman, Buckley defeated Colby Covington by doctor’s stoppage at 4:42 of the third round in December 2024. In his next UFC bout after the Usman fight, Buckley lost a unanimous decision to Sean Brady at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The judges scored that bout 30–25, 30–25, and 30–27 for Brady.
Sources
- UFC: UFC 307 preliminary results, including Buckley’s knockout of Thompson
- UFC: Buckley’s doctor-stoppage win over Covington
- UFC: Official scorecards for Usman vs. Buckley
- UFC: UFC 328 official scorecards, including Brady vs. Buckley
