On Saturday night, June 14, 2025, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Atlanta’s State Farm Arena with UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley, featuring a stacked card that had fans buzzing from the prelims through the main event. The event spotlighted two former champions in the main and co-main bouts, with Kamaru Usman facing off against Joaquin Buckley in a compelling welterweight clash, while Rose Namajunas squared off against Miranda Maverick in the women’s flyweight division.
Usman, a former welterweight champion with a record of 20-4 and nine knockouts, made his return to the welterweight class after a challenging stretch marked by three consecutive losses. His historic reign as champion ended dramatically in 2022 when Leon Edwards pulled off a stunning fifth-round comeback to claim the title. Usman then faced Edwards again in a trilogy fight and also ventured into the middleweight division for a short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev, both resulting in defeats. With this bout against Buckley, Usman was looking to halt his slide and reassert himself among the division’s elite.
Opposite him stood Joaquin Buckley, a fighter riding a wave of momentum with six straight victories since returning to welterweight in 2023. Buckley, holding a 21-6 MMA record, had made a statement with emphatic wins over notable contenders including Vicente Luque, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and most recently, a TKO over three-time UFC title challenger Colby Covington. Ranked No. 7 in the division, Buckley was favored by odds-makers, coming in at -280 compared to Usman’s +225, signaling the high expectations for his continued ascent.
The co-main event featured former two-time UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, ranked No. 11 in the women’s flyweight division, against No. 13 ranked Miranda Maverick. Namajunas, with a 13-7 MMA record and 11-6 UFC tally, entered the bout with a slightly uneven recent form, having won two and lost three of her last five fights. Maverick, meanwhile, was on a high note with a 15-5 record and an 8-3 UFC run, boasting a four-fight winning streak. The matchup promised an intriguing battle of experience versus rising talent.
Rounding out the main card were several key matchups across weight classes. Andre Petroski (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) took on Edmen Shahbazyan (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in middleweight action. Bantamweights Raoni Barcelos (19-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and Cody Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) faced off in what was expected to be a dynamic bout. Mansur Abdul-Malik, undefeated at 8-0 MMA and 2-0 UFC, battled Cody Brundage (11-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) in another middleweight contest. Finally, light heavyweights Alonzo Menifield (16-5-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) and Oumar Sy (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) closed out the main card.
The preliminary card kicked off earlier at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, featuring a mix of veterans and up-and-comers. Notable results included Michael Chiesa defeating Court McGee by unanimous decision, Malcolm Wellmaker knocking out Kris Moutinho in the first round, and Jose Ochoa scoring a quick knockout over Cody Durden early in the second round. Other prelim fights saw Ricky Simon earn a unanimous decision over Cameron Smotherman, Phil Rowe win via TKO against Ange Loosa, and Jamey-Lyn Horth secure a unanimous decision over Vanessa Demopoulos. A light heavyweight bout between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato ended in a no-contest due to an illegal upkick in the first round.
Fans had access to the entire UFC Fight Night card in both English and Spanish, with ESPN+ streaming the prelims and ESPN broadcasting the main card live starting at 10 p.m. ET. The main event was scheduled for five rounds, while all other bouts were set for three rounds, maintaining the standard UFC format for Fight Night events.
Leading into the event, odds and expert picks showed a consensus leaning toward Buckley continuing his winning streak. According to MMA Junkie’s staff picks, Buckley was favored by the majority, with 10 out of 11 staff members backing him against Usman. Similarly, Mansur Abdul-Malik was unanimously picked to defeat Cody Brundage, while Andre Petroski was favored over Edmen Shahbazyan by nine staff members. The fight between Rose Namajunas and Miranda Maverick was more closely contested in predictions, with Namajunas narrowly favored by six to five among the experts.
Usman’s journey back into contention was under intense scrutiny. Once considered the unanimous No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, his recent struggles raised questions about his future in the division. A loss to Buckley could potentially mark a turning point, signaling the end of his time as a top contender. Conversely, a win would reaffirm his resilience and ability to compete at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Buckley’s rise has captured attention for his explosive finishes and consistent performances. His six-fight winning streak included notable knockouts that have elevated his status among welterweight contenders. Entering this fight as the favorite, Buckley had the opportunity to solidify his claim for a title shot and further his reputation as a formidable force in the division.
The women’s flyweight bout between Namajunas and Maverick also carried significant weight. Namajunas, a former champion, aimed to regain momentum after recent setbacks, while Maverick sought to capitalize on her winning streak and climb the rankings. Their matchup was a pivotal moment for both fighters’ trajectories within the UFC’s competitive flyweight landscape.
As the night unfolded, the blend of veteran presence and rising talent across the card provided a compelling showcase of mixed martial arts at its finest. From the prelims to the climactic main event, UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley delivered on excitement and drama, reaffirming Atlanta as a prime destination for high-stakes MMA action.
With the event now in the books, fans and analysts alike will be dissecting performances, updating rankings, and speculating on the future paths of these fighters. Whether it’s Usman’s quest to reclaim glory, Buckley’s ascent toward stardom, or Namajunas’ fight for resurgence, the storylines continue to evolve, keeping the UFC’s narrative as thrilling as ever.
