Daniel Cormier believes Kamaru Usman is under significant pressure heading into UFC on ESPN 69.
The former welterweight champion, Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC), is scheduled to headline the June 14 event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, where he’ll take on surging contender Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC).
Usman is currently on a three-fight losing streak and hasn’t secured a victory since November 2021. After losing his title in dramatic fashion to Leon Edwards in 2022, he attempted to reclaim the belt but fell short, dropping a decision in their rematch.
In 2023, Usman accepted a short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. Although he lost via majority decision at UFC 294, his performance surprised many as he pushed the aggressive Chechen fighter to the limit.
Despite the recent setbacks, Cormier views this matchup as a crucial turning point—suggesting that a strong showing against a rising force like Buckley could dramatically reshape the narrative around Usman and revitalize his position in the division.
"I think it's a really good matchup, and it will show what Kamaru Usman has left," Cormier said on his podcast “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Chael Sonnen. "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.
"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 (Rakhmonov) is still hurt and those guys will listen. Is it safe to say that we are right in the midst of Kamaru'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."
