The former UFC welterweight champion strolled into UFC Atlanta on Saturday night on the heels of a career-long 20-month layoff and three-fight losing skid that dated to 2022. Yet tasked with facing surging top contender Joaquin Buckley, Usman showed no signs of slowing down at age 38, winning a one-sided unanimous decision.

UFC winner sees little threat for Islam Makhachev in potential matchups with Kamaru Usman or Joaquin Buckley. The welterweight division took center stage during Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Atlanta,

Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) is looking to emerge as No. 1 contender when he takes on former champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in Saturday's UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+) headliner at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.