Sun Jun 15 03:30:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Is Usman Ready for the “New Gen”? Former Champ Faces Buckley in Atlanta Showdown**

**ATLANTA, GA** – Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, 38, faces a critical test of his career tonight at UFC Fight Night inside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena (10 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+; prelims at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+). He is set to clash with surging contender Joaquin Buckley, 31, who directly questioned Usman’s relevance in the division ahead of the fight.

“How’s it feel going up against the new gen?” Buckley taunted Usman at their face-off, highlighting the central question surrounding Usman’s return after a year-long absence and a string of losses.

Once considered the pound-for-pound king, Usman has struggled since a shocking head-kick knockout loss to Leon Edwards in August 2022. He lost the immediate rematch and suffered another defeat against Khamzat Chimaev in a short notice fight last October. However, Usman insists he used his time away to heal nagging injuries and strategize his return.

“I’m just f—ing tired. Why do I need to be talking? On Saturday, we’re going to be locked in [the Octagon], and that’s when I’m going to do the talking” Usman told reporters.

Despite being a +230 betting underdog, Usman is eyeing a swift return to the title picture. He aims to face the winner of the expected Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev fight, a bout he sees as a potential clash of eras. Should he reclaim the title, Usman envisions a move up to middleweight to challenge either Dricus Du Plessis or Chimaev.

“I’ll lay out the plan right here, Usman said. Finish Buckley this weekend, then wait for the winner of Islam and [Della Maddalena]. Who wouldn’t buy a ticket to the former pound-for-pound [Usman] against the current pound-for-pound [Makhachev]?”

While some doubt the feasibility of Usman’s grand ambitions, a dominant performance against Buckley could reignite his championship aspirations. But the first test is whether Usman can answer Buckley’s question and prove he can still hang with the “new gen.”

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