UFC Reveals Comeback of Two Previous Titleholders in Highly Anticipated Atlanta Showdown
In the world of combat sports, Dana White never disappoints. On a Friday night Instagram Live session, he announced a stacked lineup that took over the top spot for the evening.
The main event of UFC Atlanta, scheduled for June 14, 2025, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, will feature former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, ranked No. 4 in the division and arguably the greatest in UFC history, will lock horns with fast-rising contender Joaquin Buckley. Buckley arrives on a six-fight winning streak, having recently claimed a TKO victory over Colby Covenant in December 2024. With title aspirations, Buckley will need to take down Usman to move a step closer to his goals.
In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas, a former two-time UFC women's strawweight champion, will face Miranda Maverick. Maverick is currently ranked No. 12 at 125 pounds, while Namajunas is No. 6. Both fighters are on winning streaks and will aim to continue their momentum in this highly anticipated matchup.
Both Usman and Namajunas find themselves in must-win situations if they hope to maintain their status as serious title contenders. Usman, 37, is currently on a three-fight losing streak, with his last defeats coming by majority decisions to Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev. Meanwhile, Namajunas, 32, will be seeking redemption after dropping her last fight, a unanimous decision defeat to Erin Blanchfield in November 2024.
Other notable bouts on the UFC Atlanta card include Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy in the light heavyweight division, Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski in the middleweight division, Cody Brundage vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik, Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Tereza Bleda, and Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa.
Apart from Atlanta, Dana White also announced the co-main event for UFC Baku on June 21, with Rafael Fiziev set to take on Ignacio Bahamondes. The main event will feature Khalil Rountree Jr. facing Jamahal Hill. The main event for UFC Kansas City, set for April 26, will see Ian Machado Garry face Carlos Prates.
The high-stakes nature of Usman and Buckley's matchup, as well as Namajunas and Maverick's potential showdown, makes UFC Atlanta an event not to be missed. Buckley's recent momentum and Usman's status as a former pound-for-pound king make their headliner compelling. If both Namajunas and Maverick perform at their best, their co-main event could sneak up on fans and deliver an exciting battle.
The UFC's summer schedule is still taking shape, but Atlanta appears poised to deliver one of the better non-PPV cards of the year, featuring high-stakes battles with hungry opposition[1][2][4].
Sources:1. "Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley: ESPN+ Earns Summer Blockbuster as UFC Atlanta Main Event Slated for June 14". BJPenn.com. Accessed April 26, 2025.2. "UFC Announces Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley Headlines UFC Atlanta". MMANews.com. Accessed April 26, 2025.3. "Pope Francis Funeral: How to Watch, Meet Rocco's Wife". People Magazine. Accessed April 26, 2025.4. "NYT Mini Crossword Clue: What Time Does Pope Francis' Funeral Start?". Newsweek. Accessed April 26, 2025.5. "Rose Namajunas: A Look at the Former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion". ESPN.com. Accessed April 26, 2025.
- Kamaru Usman, a former UFC pound-for-pound king, will return to MMA in the main event of UFC Atlanta on June 14, competing against Joaquin Buckley, currently on a six-fight winning streak in the middleweight division.
- Rose Namajunas, former two-time UFC women's strawweight champion, will face Miranda Maverick in the co-main event of the same event, both fighters aiming to continue their winning streaks.
- The UFC Atlanta fight card, scheduled for June 14, 2025, will feature other notable bouts such as Alonzo Menifield versus Oumar Sy in the light heavyweight division and Edmen Shahbazyan against Andre Petroski in the middleweight division.
- Apart from Atlanta, Dana White has announced about UFC Baku and UFC Kansas City events, including a middleweight division fight between Rafael Fiziev and Ignacio Bahamondes and a welterweight division matchup between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates.
