Buckley Admits Shame Over Loss to Usman, Vows to Bounce Back

Joaquin Buckley has expressed deep regret over his lacklustre showing against former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, describing the defeat as a humbling experience that exposed the gaps in his game.

The 30-year-old American entered UFC Atlanta riding high on a six-fight winning streak and was seen as one of the division’s most dangerous rising stars. However, he struggled to impose himself over the five-round contest, as Usman’s experience and technical prowess proved too much to handle across the first four rounds.

“Ashamed and Humiliated”

Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel after the fight, Buckley didn’t shy away from the emotional impact of the loss.

“I’m not going to lie to y’all, I’m so ashamed of the loss. I feel humiliated,” he admitted.

Still, Buckley acknowledged the fight served as a valuable reality check, saying it helped him understand the gulf in experience at the top level of the UFC.

“That night really showed me that there are levels to this sport,” he added.

Despite criticism that pointed to his grappling as a major weakness, Buckley was quick to note that he had made clear progress during the fight. In the fifth round, he successfully defended all six of Usman’s takedown attempts—an improvement he believes deserves more attention.

“You saw in the fifth round that I can definitely wrestle,” he said. “I just wasn’t there earlier. I didn’t do anything. That was my mistake.”

Eyes Still on the Prize

Though visibly disappointed, Buckley remains resolute in his quest for UFC gold.

“My focus hasn’t shifted,” he declared. “We are going to take the throne. Period. We’re taking the throne, just not today.”