The Nigerian Nightmare Returns: Kamaru Usman Ends 4-Year Victory Drought at UFC 305

The fighting world witnessed something special last Saturday night. Former welterweight king Kamaru Usman finally—finally—got his hand raised in the octagon again after what felt like an eternity of setbacks.

If you’ve been following the UFC these past few years, you know exactly how significant this moment was. Usman hadn’t tasted victory since defending his title against Jorge Masvidal back in April 2021. That’s nearly four years of frustration, doubt, and questions about whether the once-dominant champion still belonged among the elite.

The Comeback Trail Nobody Saw Coming

I was cageside watching Usman dismantle Joaquin Buckley in their middleweight bout at UFC 305, and let me tell you—this wasn’t just another win. This was a statement from a man many had written off.

Usman controlled the pace, landed the cleaner shots, and showed flashes of the calculating pressure fighter who once seemed untouchable at 170 pounds. The judges’ scorecards (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) reflected his dominance, even if they don’t tell the full story of his performance.

Is Middleweight Usman’s New Home?

Let’s address the elephant in the room—Usman looked good at 185 pounds. After dropping three straight at welterweight (that trilogy with Leon Edwards still stings), the move up in weight seems to have rejuvenated the 37-year-old fighter.

No brutal weight cut. No depleted energy reserves. Just Usman doing what Usman does best—controlling the center of the cage, mixing wrestling threats with crisp striking, and breaking opponents down mentally.

This wasn’t the desperation move many believed it to be when first announced. This looked like a calculated career pivot that might just extend his fighting prime.

What This Win Means For The Middleweight Division

Buckley was riding a three-fight win streak and quickly becoming a name to watch. By handling him with relative ease, Usman has immediately thrown his name into a division that’s suddenly become one of the most interesting in the UFC.

With Dricus Du Plessis holding the belt and names like Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker all in the mix, where does Usman fit? He’s not getting a title shot next—that would be absurd—but he’s certainly earned himself a ranked opponent.

The Mental Game: Overcoming the Losing Streak

You don’t lose three straight fights—including twice by knockout to the same man who took your belt—without some serious mental demons creeping in. That’s what makes this victory so special.

During his post-fight interview, Usman’s relief was palpable. “It feels good,” he admitted with the first genuine smile I’ve seen from him in years. “When you’re on top for so long, you forget what it’s like to climb.”

This wasn’t just a physical victory—it was psychological warfare against self-doubt, against critics, against Father Time himself.

What’s Next for The Nigerian Nightmare?

At 37, Usman isn’t getting any younger. But this performance suggests he’s far from finished. The question now becomes: is this a one-off experiment at middleweight, or is Usman truly setting his sights on a second UFC championship?

If I were in his shoes (and thankfully I’m not—those weight cuts sound miserable), I’d be calling out someone in the middleweight top 10. Make it official. Commit to the division. Show the UFC brass and the fans that this isn’t just a temporary escape from welterweight struggles.

Names like Jared Cannonier or even a rematch with Marvin Vettori make a lot of sense right now. Winnable fights against established contenders that could position him for a title run in late 2025 if things break right.

The Legacy Question

Some fighters would have walked away after losing their belt and subsequent rematches. Not Usman. There’s something to be said for his persistence, his refusal to let those losses define him.

The way I see it, this middleweight chapter—however long it lasts—only enhances his legacy. The willingness to challenge himself, to move up when many expected him to move on, speaks volumes about his competitive spirit.

Whether he ever wears UFC gold again or not, Usman reminded us all on Saturday night why he’s one of the greatest welterweights of all time—and why it might be too soon to close the book on his career.

Have You Written Off Kamaru Usman Too Soon?

One win doesn’t erase three losses, but it certainly changes the conversation. The Usman we saw at UFC 305 looked reinvigorated, dangerous, and most importantly, confident again.

The middleweight division just got a whole lot more interesting. And in a sport where storylines drive interest as much as the fights themselves, Usman’s quest for redemption at a new weight class is as compelling as they come.

What do you think? Can Usman make a serious run at 185 pounds? Or was this just a temporary reprieve from a career in decline? Let me know in the comments below!