UFC announces Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley to headline UFC Atlanta in June
Kamaru Usman is finally stepping back in the cage.
On Friday, the UFC announced that Usman takes on surging welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta, which goes down on June 14 at State Farm Arena.
#UFCAtlanta has its headliners @Usman84kg vs @NewMansa94@RoseNamajunas vs @FearTheMaverick
— UFC (@ufc) April 25, 2025
Tickets on sale May 2 | Info: https://t.co/8HQfIg4b0R pic.twitter.com/lav45WCWaz
Usman (20-4) is a former welterweight champion, having held the title from 2019 until 2021, recording five defenses. However, “The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently on a three-fight losing streak and has not competed since losing to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 after accepting the bout up at middleweight and on short notice.
Buckley (21-6) has won six in a row since returning to the welterweight division in 2023, four by stoppage. Most recently, Buckley finished former interim champion Colby Covington in the main event of UFC Tampa in December.
A previously announced women’s flyweight bout between former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (13-7) and 12th-ranked contender Miranda Maverick (15-5) will serve as the co-headliner.
This will be the UFC’s fifth trip to Atlanta and first Fight Night event, with the previous four visits all being pay-per-view shows.
Check out the rest of the UFC Atlanta lineup below.
Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley
Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski