Kamaru Usman has a chance to redeem himself.
The former UFC Welterweight Champion hasn’t been the same since he lost his title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278. Usman has dropped two more fights since, a rematch against Edwards (UFC 286) and Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 294). For the first time in Usman’s career, he’s riding a three-fight losing streak, and another loss can push him out of the top five in the rankings. Usman’s current record stands at 20 wins and 4 losses.
On the other hand, Joaquin Buckley is on a massive roll. He’s coming off his biggest win to date as the 31-year-old scored a sweet knockout win over Colby Covington back in December. Kamaru Usman is his toughest test to date. In Buckley’s last six fights, he’s won four of them via TKO, and the welterweight is riding a nice six-fight winning streak. Joaquin Buckley’s record currently stands at 21 wins and 6 losses.
Former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas is hoping to get back into the win column as well as Namajunas suffered a decision loss to Erin Blanchfield in November. Since moving to the flyweight division in 2023, Namajunas has been a mixed bag, though she was building a solid winning streak before her loss to Blanchfield.
Miranda Maverick comes in with some momentum as the flyweight has a nice four-fight winning streak going. After a rocky 2021, Maverick adjusted her strategy and it’s paid off greatly. If Maverick can beat Namajunas than a flyweight title shot could be next. Maverick’s record is currently 15 wins and 5 losses.
Check out the confirmed fight card below:
UFC Atlanta Main Event on ESPN/ESPN+:
170 lbs.: Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley
UFC Atlanta Main Card on ESPN/ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET):
125 lbs.: Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick
185 lbs.: Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski
135 lbs.: Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos
185 lbs.: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage
205 lbs.: Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
UFC Atlanta ‘Prelims’ Card on ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET):
205 lbs.: Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato
170 lbs.: Michael Chiesa vs. Court McGee
135 lbs.: Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Kris Moutinho
125 lbs.: Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa
135 lbs.: Ricky Simon vs. Cameron Smotherman
170 lbs.: Ange Loosa vs. Phil Rowe
125 lbs.: Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Vanessa Demopoulos