Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is poised for a return to the octagon. The organization announced on Friday that Usman is set to face surging contender Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta. The fight card is scheduled to take place on June 14th at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Fighter Backgrounds
Usman (20-4), who reigned as welterweight champion from 2019 to 2021 with five successful title defenses, is currently navigating a challenging period. “The Nigerian Nightmare” is on a three-fight losing streak and has not competed since his short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight at UFC 294.
In stark contrast, Buckley (21-6) has demonstrated impressive form since moving back to the welterweight division in 2023. He has secured six consecutive victories, four of which came by stoppage. Most recently, Buckley delivered a standout performance by finishing former interim champion Colby Covington in the main event of UFC Tampa last December.
Co-Main Event and Event History
The co-main event for UFC Atlanta will feature a women`s flyweight bout between former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (13-7) and the 12th-ranked contender Miranda Maverick (15-5), a previously announced matchup.
This event marks the UFC`s fifth visit to Atlanta, but it will be the first time the promotion holds a Fight Night card in the city. All four previous events in Atlanta were pay-per-view broadcasts.
