UFC Atlanta Preview

The UFC is invading the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday June 14th for UFC on ESPN 69. The main event will be in the welterweight division between former champion #5 Kamaru Usman and surging contender #7 Jaoquin Buckley.

Usman is trying to rebound from three straight losses having most recently lost in a fight on 10 days notice at middleweight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. Chimaev was widely considered one of the most feared fighters in the UFC before the fight but Usman not only stepped in on short notice but appeared to be the better fighter in the third round of a hard fought battle, albeit not enough to win over the judges.

Prior to the Chimaev fight he lost two straight against Leon Edwards the first of which he lost he welterweight title in one of the most shocking KO losses of all-time. While most fighters in the UFC would be on hard times having lost three straight fights, Usman has proven even in losses he is still an elite fighter.

Buckley called for this fight after his last victory and Usman responded. "I remember a time when people didn't want to fight me, and that was very frustrating and annoying. So, he can want what he wants, but it's my time, and it's my opportunity, my job, to be able to go in there and let him know that you've done a great job, but you're just not here yet, Usman Said.

Usman is happy to be welcoming new contenders into the ranks of the welterweight division. "It is exciting, because there's a lot of new guys, a lot of new blood, so I appreciate that," said Usman.

How does the 38-year-old feel about Buckley calling him out? "I think Buckley has done a great job with what he's been presented,” Usman said.

"I can't take anything away from him. He's gone out there and earned an opportunity to be in a position to get a fight like this, and I remember that was something that, when I was coming up, getting a fight with the top guys, it was very, very difficult. So for him to get that opportunity, that means he's done something right.”

Usman continued, "So I respect it, but I still believe that there's a difference with the way that we fight, with the way that myself and the rest of the division fights. So Saturday is going to be on me to go out there and show the world that." 

While Usman respects Buckley, he is looking forward to facing the winner of the next welterweight title fight between Jack Della Madallena and Islam Makhachev. "I'm waiting for the that fight between JDM (Della Maddalena) and Islam (Makhachev), which is a fantastic fight. Both guys are extremely talented. Both guys are really, really good," he said.

"A fight with either one of those guys is going to be fantastic. A fight with myself and JDM – humongous fight. I know they probably want to do a stadium in Australia. I haven't been in the stadium yet. So, why not? And also a fight with the current pound-for-pound (Makhachev) and the former pound-for-pound. I think that's a blockbuster anyone would sign up for.”

The pundits are saying Usman’s days as a title contender are over. How does he feel?

"I'm in a place in my career and in my life where you understand that each and every moment, no matter how difficult, no matter how good or bad, is an opportunity, and understanding that once it's gone, it's gone; it's not there anymore," he said.

"So, understanding that it's an opportunity, you kind of approach it and see it a little differently. So, everyone excites me. Even now, going into the fight on Saturday, I'm nervous, I'm a little scared, I'm excited, and I'm anxious. So, all of these things wrapped up in one, I know, at the end of the day, it's still a blessing to have the opportunity to feel these things.”

Usman is a hall of famer and before he lost the title was considered one of the greatest if not the greatest welterweight of all-time. A win over Buckley puts him back in the title conversation, but how much time does the aging veteran have left?

Buckley has won six straight fights since returning to welterweight. He most recently defeated three-time title challenger Colby Covington by third round TKO in December. The 31-year-old from St. Louis experienced mixed success at middleweight but has looked as dangerous as ever at 170 pounds.

Usman has been known to be in heated rivalries in the past, but Buckley did not feel that same energy from Usman when they faced off at weight ins for their fight. “I always love to see the type of energy that fighters give other people and to see if they will give it to me,” Buckley said. “With Kamaru Usman, I feel like with a lot of fights he had and a lot of opponents that he would go back-and-forth with, whether that’s Masvidal, whether that’s Leon, whether that’s Colby Covington himself – he was quiet with me.

“Not about his body language, but just his demeanor. Him taking in a deep breath before he seen me. Little details like that mean a lot to me because he knows the person that he’s going to deal with in front of him is about to give him that action. I just can’t wait because I know with that type of energy, even though you might be nervous or worried about what’s in front of you, you’re going to be locked in, and those are the fighters to watch out for.”

For fans, a Buckley title shot feels inevitable if he defeats Usman in spectacular fashion. While Buckley had mixed results as middleweight, he does have the most viral and legendary knockout in UFC history where he KO’d Impa Kasanganay by spinning back kick in 2020. The KO put him on the fans radar but his most recent work of disposing of former title contenders has forced the welterweight division to take him seriously.

A win over Usman will undoubtedly put Buckley at the top of the contender list in a division where there is many moving parts to a title shot. Buckley has the benefit of having the fans on his side and a finish of Kamaru Usman will have the UFC community pleading for a title shot.

The rest of the main card on ESPN+:

Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick (Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Bout)
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage (Middleweight)
Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy (Light Heavyweight) 

ESPN+ Prelims:

Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato (Light Heavyweight Featured Bout)
Michael Chiesa vs. Court McGee (Welterweight)
Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Ricky Simón vs. Charles Jourdain (Bantamweight)
Philip Rowe vs. Ange Loosa (Welterweight)  
Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (Women’s Flyweight)