Kamaru Usman's biggest key to victory at UFC Atlanta

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Kamaru Usman risks it all this weekend when he fights Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Atlanta main event.

Usman has had one of the longest layoffs of all ranked men's fighters, last competing in October 2023 - a losing effort against Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.

Alarmingly, Usman has still only lost to one man at welterweight, Leon Edwards, so there's plenty of appeal to his fight with Buckley. Still, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' is a considerable underdog entering the fight, so here's his biggest key to victory.

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Kamaru Usman's best route to victory is the simplest weapon in his toolbox

Usman is an exceptional pressure wrestler and maintains great takedown defense, as exemplified by his fight with Chimaev. That said, he's rigid, top-heavy, and flat-footed. We should expect Buckley to dance circles around him when they clash on Saturday.

Buckley is the bull in this fight; he'll be looking for shifting combinations to brutalize Usman with a heavy striking approach, primarily boxing. What can Usman do? Bring out the cattle prod.

Usman's jab is money at UFC Atlanta

Usman owns a piston-like jab that is essential to sticking Buckley and preventing him from settling into striking range. While Usman might not keep up with Buckley on the feet, he can take ownership of his range by putting a stiff lead hand in the way of Buckley's advances.

'The Nigerian Nightmare' made great use of his jab against Gilbert Burns, who tried to crash into range only to run into the pole of Usman's lead arm.

Le jab de Kamaru Usman est aussi puissant qu’un direct du droit 🥶 Le champion est vraiment très solide, performance monstrueuse #UFC258 pic.twitter.com/vdtKcSuG24

— Ilies Mkt (@IliesMkt) February 14, 2021

This punch will be key to earning respect from Buckley and will serve to set up other combination punches Usman might throw, such as his lurching right cross.

A good jab is timeless, painful, and jarring --- It's also Usman's best route to victory at UFC Atlanta.

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