- Abike Dabiri-Erewa Congratulates Kamaru Usman for defeating Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, ending a four-year winless streak.
- Usman shut down critics of his fitness and hinted at a UFC title comeback.
- He called the win emotional and thanked his fans, team, and family.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Dabiri-Erewa’s congratulatory message followed Usman’s triumphant return to the octagon on Sunday morning in Atlanta, United States.
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In her reaction to his victory over American fighter Joaquin Buckley, Dabiri-Erewa described the Nigerian’s performance as a proud moment for the country, hailing him as a true ambassador of the nation on the global stage.
In her post on X, the NiDCOM boss said, “Congratulations to the Nigerian Nightmare, Kamaru Usman, as he beats Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. Proudly Nigerian. Hearty congratulations.”
Usman, 37, ended his nearly four-year winless streak with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley in the welterweight division.
He reasserted his elite status in mixed martial arts.
The judges scored the five-round bout 49–46, 49–46, and 48–47 in favour of the Nigerian-American, who controlled the pace with his trademark wrestling, cage control, and tactical precision.
Usman out-landed Buckley 16–0 in major strikes in the early rounds.
He set the tone with consistent takedowns and experience-driven fight strategy.
After the match, he expressed relief and confidence in his abilities: “It feels good. It’s been a while,” he said.
“I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level.”
Now holding a professional MMA record of 21 wins and four losses, Usman addressed critics of his durability due to past injuries.
He said, “I know it’s a running joke. Everybody wants to get on the internet and talk sht, ‘Oh his knees, his knees.’ Well, shut the f** up…
“I can still do what I do.”
Usman’s win, his first since November 2021, could mark the start of another title run.
“Well, I could do that to anybody, any one of them. Those knockouts will come.
“The next one, whoever it is for that title, I’mma see about you.”
Visibly emotional, he thanked his team, fans, and family, noting his daughter’s absence, “It’s been a long time.
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“A lot of emotions, a lot of things that I had to battle back from. I’m holding back all the emotions.”
