‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Kamaru Usman, once stood on the throne of his division with a 15-fight win streak and five title defenses to show for it. As he was one step away from equaling Anderson Silva‘s massive 16-fight win streak record, the title he held dearly was taken by ‘Rocky’, ending his legendary UFC welterweight title reign. One of the greatest welterweights to ever grace the UFC octagon, now is at the doors of redemption, looking to reclaim the throne he thinks is rightfully his.

In less than two months now, Usman will return to the Octagon in Atlanta, when he takes on a young and rising prospect in Joaquin Buckley. While many believe Usman’s best days are over and it’s time for the newer generation to take over, the Nigerian-American stands among the few top-tier fighters of the last generation. Still ranked #4 in the division, currently Usman is on a three fight losing streak. Yet in a huge turn of events, UFC legend Daniel Cormier gave a positive insight as to how Usman’s last loss, which was at middleweight to Khamzat Chimaev, ended with the Nigerian fighter shining more than his opponent.

“I think it’s a really good matchup, and it will show what Kamaru Usman has left. I mean point-blank right, all great champions have a time frame for greatness, because time doesn’t wait for anyone. It’s going to keep going forward so it’s fair to say, right, he fought a while ago against Khamzat Chimaev and in losing he almost elevated himself. Because he fought him so well when Chimaev was thought to be so dominant. And think about what Chimaev has done now to Robert Whitaker since the Kamaru Usman fight,” DC explained on the Good Guy/ Bad Guy podcast, Chimaev even with his dominant wrestling and intensity, could not overpower or finish Usman who was fighting on short notice.

However, Usman’s next fight isn’t at middleweight. The former 170-pound kingpin is making a return to the Octagon after taking more than a year and a half away from the sport. While ‘DC’ praised Usman for his abilities and previous fights, he also warned ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ about the stakes of this fight. Cormier reminded the community that this fight is Usman’s last chance to stay relevant.

He said, “So yes, Usman, doing what he did should be applauded but a win over Buckley can propel him forward. Doesn’t matter what happened with Leon Edwards because he’s the biggest name and if he wins he can then yell, ‘Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, I want my shot especially if Shavkat is still hurt and those guys will listen.’ Is it safe to say that we are right in the midst of tomorrow’s last chance not best chance. This is his last chance to try to not only become a champion but to even really stay relevant in his division?”

That’s a heavy question to answer for a fighter on the brink of losing his spark. Can Usman capitalize of this bout? Is Kamaru Usman still ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’? Surely a title shot is already in the making for Usman considering he outclasses his up-and-coming opponent in June.

Do Daniel Cormier’s positive words for Kamaru Usman contain any hope for his future?

Kamaru Usman’s title run at welterweight had the MMA community starting to compare him with the UFC 170-pound legend, George Saint-Pierre. Now that is a great feat to have on your resume. This is back when a potential fight between ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and ‘Rush’ was on everyone’s mind but it couldn’t happen due to the legend’s retirement. And look how the times have changed now—Usman’s title hopes are one loss away from breaking down.

Before his fight with Chimaev, Usman was already suffering from two losses to Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ knocked him out in their first fight, and dominated him to a UD in their second fight, leaving the fans to wonder if Usman’s prime is still around or not.

Usman’s opponent, on the other hand, can quite easily put his lights out. Joaquin Buckley is a high-level striker, known for his long-ranged attacks and impeccable takedown defense, a combination quite really dangerous for Usman. Buckley even won the ‘Knockout of the Year’ award in 2020 after sending his opponent to the shadow realm in just one strong kick to the head. Buckley currently ranked #6th in the division will look forward to making the most of this opportunity and securing himself a spot among the top 5 170-pounders.

Kamaru Usman’s run for relevancy is really at stake in this fight, as he has only lost to a veteran—Leon Edwards—in the division. Losing to a rising prospect will affect his resume disastrously. At 37 years old, Kamaru Usman’s time at the top has reached its inevitable ending as now he will fight not only against his opponents but time as well. A victory can surely slingshot the Nigeria-based wrestler to get himself a quick title shot but a loss can throw him much farther away from it. Can Usman beat Buckley? Or is the ‘New Age’ takeover too heavy for the veterans of the 170-pound division? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.