Joaquin Buckley is holding his head high.
On Saturday night, Buckley squared off against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Atlanta, losing a unanimous decision. It’s a tough setback for Buckley, who was on the cusp of a title shot, but despite the loss, “New Mansa” isn’t too down with his performance.
“Look, Atlanta was good to us, baby,” Buckley said in a video poster to his Instagram on Sunday. “We sold out the arena. It was a major opportunity for me to go out there and show up and show out. I truly believe I did that. Especially in the fifth round, we had Usman backing up, trying to get those takedowns. We stuffed every one. But don’t get it twisted. Even though my hand was not raised, I still feel victorious.
“But still, shout out to Kamaru Usman. You are truly a legend, you are truly a GOAT. Thank you for the opportunity, for allowing me to be able to step into the octagon with you, and grace me with your presence.
“I just really wanted to say thank you, Atlanta, for popping out and selling out, and really being an amazing crowd, because with that energy and with that love, I truly believe we can go into another main event and really show up and show up.
“With that being said, I didn’t win, I didn’t get my hand raised, but that’s all good. This gives me time to take a break and really kind of work on some tools and work on some things we’ve got to work on. ...
“What we dealt with through that fight, I really feel like we was up against the world. But I feel like we did a great job. ... It was a lot of pressure that was on us that night, but I truly feel privileged that I was out there and able to put some worries on that boy, had that boy sweating. It just shows what our real capabilities are. I truly, truly believe we’re going to take this time and get better and come back even stronger.”
“Hand wasn’t raised last night but I am still victorious and will be one of the greats ☝️
“This trip has been beyond amazing and I wouldn’t change a thing that happened in my fight camp everything was perfectly planned I just didn’t execute like I know I could… we wanted to land early damage on Usman and get him moving back but he did a good job neutralizing threats with takedowns
“But don’t get it twisted usman was more concerned about holding me than hurting me in this fight but he did what he felt was necessary to win and so can’t be mad at him Congrats to Usman and his Team and Francis Ngannou, I saw message Excited about the welterweight division See ya when I see ya ”
The loss was Buckley’s first since returning to the welterweight division in 2023. He had amassed a six-fight winning streak before UFC Atlanta, but now drops back in the currently crowded welterweight title picture. Usman, meanwhile, picked up his first win since 2021, and afterwards lobbied for a shot at the winner of the planned Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev title fight.
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