News Summary
Atlanta is set to host the Ultimate Fighting Championship as it returns for the first time in over six years. The headline event features Kamaru Usman facing Joaquin Buckley in a crucial welterweight bout. Usman seeks to end a losing streak, while Buckley rides a six-fight winning streak. The undercard includes former champion Rose Namajunas and other exciting matchups. The event at State Farm Arena promises to be a significant night for MMA fans with implications for title shots in multiple divisions.
Atlanta will host an exciting night of mixed martial arts as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the city for the first time in over six years, with a highly anticipated event set for June 14, 2025. Headlining the fight card is a significant welterweight bout between former champion Kamaru Usman and rising contender Joaquin Buckley, taking place at the State Farm Arena.
This matchup is particularly critical for both fighters. Kamaru Usman is looking to rebound after suffering three consecutive losses, including a defeat by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023. Before that, Usman lost his title to Leon Edwards in August 2022 and subsequently fell short in a rematch against Edwards in March 2023. Usman aims to demonstrate that he still has the ability to compete at the highest level in the welterweight division.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Buckley enters this fight riding a wave of momentum, boasting a six-fight winning streak. His recent victories over notable opponents such as Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and Colby Covington have positioned Buckley as a serious contender in the welterweight rankings. A victory over Usman could solidify his status and potentially secure a title shot in the near future.
An undercard loaded with talent accompanies the main event, featuring a variety of other high-stakes matchups. In the women’s flyweight division, former champion Rose Namajunas will take on Miranda Maverick, adding an intriguing element to the event. Bantamweights Cody Garbrandt and Raoni Barcelos are also set to clash, while middleweights Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage will compete against one another. Additionally, Edmen Shahbazyan will face Andre Petroski in yet another middleweight contest, and light heavyweights Alonzo Menifield and Oumar Sy are scheduled to grapple.
The preliminary card promises further excitement and will commence at 7 p.m. ET, leading up to the main card that kicks off at 10 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the event on ESPN and ESPN+. The card also includes other fights such as Michael Chiesa versus Court McGee, Malcolm Wellmaker taking on Kris Moutinho, and a match between AP and Ricky Simón.
However, a last-minute change has occurred, as bantamweight fighter Charles Jourdain has withdrawn from his bout against Ricky Simon due to an eye injury. This adjustment is one of the many elements that can impact the dynamics of fight night.
As UFC returns to Atlanta, fans are brimming with anticipation over the matchup possibilities and the potential implications for title shots in both the welterweight and women’s flyweight divisions. Tickets for this thrilling event range significantly, with prices varying from approximately $198.55 to $3,906.45, catering to a wide audience eager to witness these premier athletes in action.
UFC last held an event in Atlanta during UFC 236 in April 2019, which featured memorable fights, including Dustin Poirier’s interim lightweight title victory over Max Holloway and Israel Adesanya’s interim middleweight title win against Kelvin Gastelum. The upcoming event is poised to be another notable night in the city’s sports history, with high stakes on the line for both Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley.
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Additional Resources
- Bloody Elbow: UFC Atlanta Loses Bout
- Forbes: UFC Atlanta Full Fight Card
- MMA Junkie: UFC Atlanta Start Time and Fight Card
- Google Search: UFC Atlanta
- Encyclopedia Britannica: MMA
