People regard Islam Makhachev as the big honcho, if not the all-time greatest UFC 155-pounder, because he broke the record for the most title defenses in the competition history. What he has achieved and his winning momentum have also earned Makhachev a direct shot at the UFC 170-pound gold in the near future.

The former UFC welterweight champion strolled into UFC Atlanta on Saturday night on the heels of a career-long 20-month layoff and three-fight losing skid that dated to 2022. Yet tasked with facing surging top contender Joaquin Buckley, Usman showed no signs of slowing down at age 38, winning a one-sided unanimous decision.