On the latest episode of Beyond the Fight, Chael Sonnen dives into a hypothetical but fiery matchup that has captured the imagination of MMA fans online: Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley.

While the bout isn’t official — or even rumored — Sonnen breaks it down as only he can, blending sharp technical analysis with his signature no-filter style.

“This fight would be chaos,” Chael says. “If it ever happened, someone’s going to sleep — or get smothered for 15 minutes. There’s no in-between.”

 Power vs Pressure

According to Sonnen, this fantasy fight is fascinating because of the contrast in styles:

Joaquin Buckley: Explosive, unpredictable, with one-punch knockout power. Best known for his viral spinning back kick KO, Buckley has been making noise in the welterweight division with relentless aggression and bold callouts.

Kamaru Usman: Former UFC welterweight champion. Elite wrestling, granite chin, high fight IQ, and suffocating pace. Though now in the later stages of his career, Usman remains one of the toughest puzzles in the division.

“Buckley has that freak power, but if he doesn’t land early, he’s in trouble,” Sonnen said. “Usman will put you on your back and grind the life out of you.”

 Can Buckley Handle Usman’s Wrestling?

Sonnen raised a major question: How would Buckley deal with Usman’s wrestling-heavy approach?

“The difference with Usman is he doesn’t just take you down — he keeps you down. He holds positions like Velcro. That’s exhausting.”

Chael noted that while Buckley is dangerous on the feet, he hasn’t faced a grappler the caliber of Usman — someone who can press you into the fence, drain your arms, and chip away at your will.

 Buckley’s Only Path to Victory?

That said, Sonnen didn’t completely count Buckley out:

“Buckley’s got a puncher’s chance — and that’s not just a cliché here. If he catches Kamaru clean, especially early, it could be lights out. But those windows don’t stay open long.”

Chael compared the potential fight to Usman vs Gilbert Burns, where a powerful striker landed early, but ultimately faded as Usman took over.

 Final Thoughts from Sonnen

Chael ended the segment with his trademark sharpness:

“This fight might never happen, but if it did, it’s classic MMA theater — can raw power overcome championship-level composure? My money’s still on the Nigerian Nightmare… unless Buckley lands something from the highlight reel.”

Whether you agree with him or not, Chael Sonnen knows how to spark the debate — and Beyond the Fight continues to deliver thought-provoking breakdowns of the fights we wish we could see.