Kamaru Usman, the Nigerian-American mixed martial artist, has snapped his three-fight losing streak with a dominant performance at UFC Atlanta on Saturday night.

Usman defeated Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in the main event of the fight card, with judges scoring the contest 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in his favor.

The victory marked Usman’s first win in over three years, dating back to November 2021.

The 38-year-old former UFC welterweight champion showed his wrestling prowess, controlling the first four rounds with well-timed takedowns and relentless top pressure.

Despite showing signs of fatigue in the fifth round, Usman’s experience and composure helped him weather the storm and seal the win.

With the win, Usman reasserted himself as a key player in the welterweight title picture.

“It’s been a while,” an emotional Usman said in his post-fight interview. “I needed to get that monkey off my back. I know I’m still able to do this at the highest level.”

Usman’s victory was a statement, proving that he still belongs among the elite.

Buckley, who had a six-fight winning streak before the fight, showed respect for Usman, saying, “I’m going to be honest, I’m just glad to be in this Octagon with someone who is known as one of the best.”

The loss ends Buckley’s winning streak, but he vowed to continue fighting, saying, “This ain’t gonna be the end. We just getting started.”

Usman’s win sets him up as a potential challenger for the winner of the expected title bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev later this year.

With his dominant performance, Usman has shown that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division.

Nigeria’s track queen, Tobi Amusan, has made a triumphant return to form, winning the women’s 100m hurdles at the Diamond League meet in Rabat, Morocco.

The 28-year-old hurdler clocked a season’s best time of 12.24 seconds, shattering the previous meet record of 12.51 seconds set by American Brianna McNeal in 2018.

This impressive victory marks Amusan’s first major win of the 2025 season and solidifies her position as a leading contender ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo.

Amusan’s win was a masterclass performance, dominating the field from start to finish and leaving her rivals in her wake.

Amusan’s journey to this triumph wasn’t without its challenges. She had a rough start to the season, finishing fourth in Xiamen and Shanghai Diamond League meets in May.

However, she bounced back with a win at Jamaica’s Velocity Fest 16 in March, albeit against a less competitive field.

After a disappointing end to her 2024 season, where she missed out on the final of the women’s 100m hurdles at the Paris Olympics, Amusan refocused on her technique.

She attributed her success in Rabat to increased hurdles practice, stating, “More hurdles practice, because I had been doing more sprinting.

After the first two Diamond League meetings, I knew I had to go back to doing more hurdle drills. Two weeks in, I can tell the difference.”

Results:

1st Place: Tobi Amusan (Nigeria) – 12.24 seconds
2nd Place: Nadine Visser (Netherlands) – 12.67 seconds
3rd Place: Pia Skrzyszowska (Poland) – 12.69 seconds

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In a grand ceremony held at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu welcomed Moro Ojomo, the Nigerian-born American football player who clinched Super Bowl LIX, on Friday. Ojomo, a Philadelphia Eagles player, was accompanied by his family, including his father, Olo-lade; mother, Bimbo; and sister, Modele. The 23-year-old athlete, born in Lagos, arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday, marking his return to his homeland after his family relocated to the United States when he was seven.

Ojomo’s visit comes on the heels of his team’s triumph in the National Football League (NFL) championship, where they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. In a statement made upon his arrival in Lagos, Ojomo credited his Nigerian upbringing and passion for the country as the driving force behind his success in the NFL.

“I have a drive and motivation that stem from my upbringing as a Nigerian, and my passion for this country allows me to excel. Nigeria has helped me succeed on the biggest stage,” he said.  Ojomo also highlighted the growing presence of Nigerians in American football, emphasizing the opportunities the sport provides.

“It is everything when you look at the number of Africans, specifically Nigerians, in American football. The most important thing is giving our youths an opportunity to get into the sport. It is a pathway to education, high school and college degrees, and a means to put Nigeria on the global stage,” he added.

The Nigerian-born athlete encouraged his compatriots to seize opportunities and believe in their potential. “Just believe you can do anything. I know Nigerians are great, and I believe you should take advantage of opportunities and not let anyone deter you,” he concluded.

During his meeting with President Tinubu, Ojomo presented the President with a customized Philadelphia Eagles jersey, bearing the number 77, his jersey number. The President praised Ojomo’s achievements, saying, “Moro’s success is attributed to the talent and resilience of Nigerian youths. We are proud to have him as a role model and ambassador for our country. “Ojomo’s visit to Nigeria is seen as a significant boost to the country’s sports development, particularly in American football.

Diaspora Watch reports his success in the NFL has inspired many young Nigerians to take up the sport, and his visit is expected to further promote the growth of American football in the country. In addition to his meeting with President Tinubu, Ojomo is also scheduled to visit several schools and sports facilities in Lagos, where he will interact with young athletes and share his experiences with them.

Ojomo’s story is a remarkable one, from his humble beginnings in Lagos to his rise to fame in the NFL. His visit to Nigeria is a celebration of his achievements and a reflection to the power of hard work, determination, and passion.