The former Undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman is back and will face No. 7 Joaquin Buckley in Atlanta, Georgia. The Main Card will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Usman is returning after 20 months away. His last fight was against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023. He hasn’t won a fight since he beat Colby Covington for the second time at UFC 268 in November 2021. Here is my favorite prop bet for Usman against Buckley in tonight’s Main Event.
Kamaru Usman Over 63.5 Significant Strikes (-115)
Over his career, Usman has grown as a striker and evolved his skillset with in each bout. Although he is coming off a performance with 36 significant strikes, that was a three-round fight. Now, he will have a five-round fight, which he is accustomed to against Buckley. Usman has totaled more than 63.5 significant strikes in his last three fights at welterweight and four of five.
You can get Usman over in significant strikes at -115 on DraftKings Sportsbook. Usman has the tools to hurt Buckley and get the better of him in this fight. He averages 4.36 significant strikes at a 52 percent rate, which is better than Buckley’s.
Usman did lose to Chimaev in his previous fight, but until he shows significant signs of declining, it will be hard not to back him. Over the last few years, Usman has fought top-tier competition, including Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Tyron Woodley. This is a big step down in competition for Usman, and with his well-versed striking arsenal, he should be able to total more than 63.5 significant strikes against Buckley.
