Kamaru Usman To Return Against Joaquin Buckley In UFC Atlanta Headliner

Former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has a tough assignment in his return to the cage.

Appearing for the first time since late 2023, Usman will take on fast-rising contender Joaquin Buckley, as confirmed Friday by Dana White. The bout will headline UFC’s June 14th show at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Usman has struggled to find his footing since a multi-year reign with the promotion’s 170-pound title came to an end in 2022. The 37-year-old saw his lengthy run as champ conclude in 2022 when England’s Leon Edwards pulled off a last-minute head kick knockout to capture the title in dramatic fashion.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” went on to suffer a pair of defeats in 2023, losing in a five-round title rematch against Edwards and then dropping a majority decision up at middleweight to Khamzat Chimaev.

While Usman is coming back after spending over an entire calendar year out of action—the longest absence of his pro career—he remains ranked fourth in the division. A win in June would keep him as one of the top names at 170.

Looking to avoid that result is Buckley, who has been unstoppable in recent years. The sixth-ranked contender has strung together a half-dozen wins since 2023, stopping experienced names like Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque along the way.

Buckley closed out a busy four-victory 2024 with his first-ever main event win in December, scoring a doctor stoppage against former interim champ Colby Covington. The next booking allows him a chance to beat one of the two former undisputed welterweight champs still fighting on the UFC roster.

Usman vs. Buckley will headline UFC’s first trip to Atlanta since 2019. Here’s an updated look at the card:

Bout 5: Kamaru Usman (20-4) vs. Joaquin Buckley (21-6) (Welterweight)
Bout 4: Rose Namajunas (13-7) vs. Miranda Maverick (15-5) (Flyweight)
Bout 3: Cody Brundage (11-6) vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0) (Middleweight)
Bout 2: Jamey-Lyn Horth (7-2) vs. Tereza Bleda (7-1) (Flyweight)
Bout 1: Cody Durden (17-7-1) vs. Jose Ochoa (7-1) (Flyweight)