Buckley Trains with Usman Before UFC 328 Comeback

Former welterweight champ Usman helps Buckley prepare for upcoming fight against Sean Brady.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting two blurred figures engaged in a dynamic grappling match, capturing the raw athleticism and intensity of MMA training.The explosive energy of an MMA training session between two top welterweights reflects the competitive spirit of the sport.Newark Today

Ahead of his UFC 328 matchup against Sean Brady, Joaquin Buckley has been training with the only man to defeat him in the welterweight division - former champion Kamaru Usman. Buckley shared footage of the training sessions, with Usman praising Buckley's willingness to put aside his ego to improve his skills.

Why it matters

Buckley is looking to get back on track after his loss to Usman, and training with the former champ could give him valuable insights and techniques to help him defeat his upcoming opponent Sean Brady. The footage also provides a rare glimpse into the collaborative nature of the sport, as top fighters work together to elevate each other's games.

The details

In the lead-up to his May 9 fight at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Buckley traveled to Usman's Kill Cliff FC facility in South Florida to get some training in with the former welterweight champion. Usman shared footage of the sessions on social media, praising Buckley's willingness to put aside his ego to improve his skills. At their previous matchup at UFC on ESPN 69, Usman's superior wrestling was the difference, as he was able to ground Buckley multiple times over the 25-minute fight.

  • Buckley and Usman trained together in the lead-up to Buckley's UFC 328 fight on May 9, 2026.
  • Usman defeated Buckley by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 69 in June.

The players

Joaquin Buckley

A UFC welterweight fighter with a 22-7 professional record, who is looking to get back on track after a loss to Kamaru Usman.

Kamaru Usman

The former UFC welterweight champion, who holds a 21-4 professional record and is known for his dominant wrestling skills.

Sean Brady

Buckley's upcoming opponent at UFC 328, who holds an 18-2 professional record.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Usman shared footage of the training on social media, and also praised Buckley for his willingness to put ego aside for the sake of improving his skillset.”

— Kamaru Usman, Former UFC Welterweight Champion

What’s next

Buckley will face Sean Brady at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The takeaway

Buckley's decision to train with the man who last defeated him, Kamaru Usman, demonstrates the collaborative nature of the sport of MMA, where top fighters work together to elevate each other's skills and prepare for upcoming challenges.