Kamaru Usman, it’s been some time.
602. The variety of days because the 38-year-old most lately fought.
819. The variety of days since Usman final fought at welterweight, the division he reigned over from 2019-2022.
1,029. The variety of days since Usman final held UFC gold.
1,316. The variety of days since Usman’s final win.
Now. Usman makes his return in the principle occasion of UFC Atlanta, the place he takes on Joaquin Buckley, one of many welterweight division’s hottest fighters. In Usman’s absence, Buckley has soared alongside a brand new crop of contenders, profitable six straight fights, knocking off the likes of Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, and Vicente Luque, and rising to the No. 7 spot within the MMA Preventing World Rankings.
A altering of the guard may very well be so as, with Father Time possible having lots to say about Usman’s quest to climb again up the rankings. Few would query that Usman is likely one of the three greatest welterweights ever. Whether or not that counts for something Saturday evening stays to be seen.
Within the co-main occasion, two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas appears to be like to maintain her personal title hopes alive as she continues to grind away at 125 kilos. Like Usman, she has a streaking contender in entrance of her in Miranda Maverick, as soon as a blue-chip prospect and now a veteran on the cusp of cracking the flyweight high 10. She will additionally shake up the MMA Preventing Pound-for-Pound rankings if she upsets Namajunas, presently No. 13 on our checklist.
Additionally on the principle card, hanging specialist Edmen Shahbazyan appears to be like to KO Andre Petroski, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt takes on Raoni Barcelos, and undefeated prospects Mansur Abdul-Malik and Oumar Sy face veteran assessments.
What: UFC Atlanta
The place: State Farm Area in Atlanta
When: Saturday, June 14. The seven-fight preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight essential card at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley
Just a few years in the past, it might have been laughable to counsel Joaquin Buckley may defeat Kamaru Usman. However this recreation strikes at mild velocity and it’s simple to favor the extra lively Buckley over a 38-year-old that has spent the previous couple of years podcasting greater than combating.
Simply taking a look at his previous two fights, although, Usman remains to be fairly good, proper? After a predictably sluggish first spherical, Usman gave the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev a hell of a scrap, and he wasn’t out of kinds in his championship rematch with Leon Edwards both. There are remnants of prime Usman in there.
Are remnants sufficient to beat a white-hot contender really in his prime? As enjoyable as a few of his middleweight appearances had been, Buckley was at all times meant to return to welterweight and the transfer has paid off in each doable method. He’s quick, he hits exhausting, and he can wrestle when he must. Extra importantly, he can counter-wrestle.
Usman and Buckley can have loads of bodily, gnarly clashes in a struggle that could be a battle of wills as a lot as talent. It’s a must to think about Usman’s focus can be on taking Buckley down, although he’ll have loads of well-earned confidence in his standup as nicely. I’d simply be involved for Usman there with Buckley possible beating him to the punch most of the time.
I’m leaning Buckley, primarily as a result of Usman’s break day has me involved and I’m not satisfied he can neutralize sufficient of Buckley’s offense to throw him off his recreation. Buckley wins a aggressive five-rounder.
Choose: Buckley
Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick
There’s the same story being advised within the co-main occasion. Rose Namajunas isn’t approaching 40 like Usman, however she’s been combating at a excessive degree nearly because the begin of her profession in 2013. Have been her losses to Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot simply unhealthy type matchups, a case of Namajunas simply being too small, or is there motive to consider “Thug Rose” simply isn’t the fighter she was?
Miranda Maverick will put all these theories to the take a look at. She’ll have a energy benefit over Namajunas and nearly undoubtedly make use of a gradual weight-reduction plan of takedowns. Namajunas has by no means been a push-over in relation to defending grappling although, so such a technique may find yourself irritating Maverick greater than her opponent.
On the toes, Namajunas is much extra polished and that’s the place I anticipate this bout to play out. Maverick has made nice strides in all departments and at 27, I nonetheless assume she has an opportunity to be a future champion, however the model of Namajunas she fights Saturday remains to be a notch above her degree.
Namajunas by determination.
Choose: Namajunas
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski
What am I lacking right here?
Is that this not yet one more case of Edmen Shahbazyan profitable a struggle after which being rewarded with a grinding grappler? And but he was a 2-to-1 favourite heading into struggle week. I don’t get it.
Admittedly, I additionally picked in opposition to Shahbazyan when was given a layup matchup in opposition to Dylan Budka in February, however that’s as a result of I’d seen Budka sort out folks earlier than and assumed he’d make the most of that technique. He didn’t and Shahbazyan seemed nice, placing Budka down in 94 seconds.
However all Andre Petroski does is take folks down and make issues ugly, which is strictly the form of tactic that has troubled Shahbazyan so many occasions up to now. He’s going to shoot and seize and push Shahbazyan in opposition to the fence and he gained’t cease till Shahbazyan is on his again. Then the strain is on Shahbazyan but once more.
All that mentioned, Petroski will not be recognized for having an iron chin, so there’s a great probability Shahbazyan simply catches him, provides one other knockout to his spotlight reel, and strings collectively consecutive wins for the primary time since 2019 (!). I’ve simply been burned too many occasions by “The Golden Boy” to select him with any confidence.
Choose: Petroski
Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos
We are able to all agree we’re much more comfy seeing Cody Garbrandt on the senior circuit of the bantamweight division versus getting used as cannon fodder for up-and-coming fighters. I’m nonetheless not choosing him to beat Raoni Barcelos, although.
There’s actually a situation the place Garbrandt is on the cash and he simply lights Barcelos up on the toes. If there’s one factor Garbrandt nonetheless has, it’s hand velocity and KO energy. It’s every part else that’s regarding.
Barcelos hasn’t scored a knockout in ages, however he can contact up Garbrandt’s chin and if he will get forward early it gained’t go nicely for the previous champion. He may additionally take Garbrandt out on the bottom, identical to Deiveson Figueiredo did. There simply aren’t many paths to victory for Garbrandt exterior of Barcelos shedding his thoughts and brawling, which might be extremely enjoyable, however unlikely.
I’ve Barcelos ending Garbrandt by way of strikes within the first or second spherical.
Choose: Barcelos
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage
Entice recreation?
Mansur Abdul-Malik has been a heavy favourite in all of his UFC fights and you may perceive why. The dude appears to be like improbable on the dimensions and to this point the in-cage outcomes have been promising. He’s extra pressure than approach for the time being, which works given his degree of competitors to this point.
That is the place it will get tough, although. Cody Brundage has the profile of a developmental expertise, however he’s confirmed to be a sticky wicket for lots of fighters that thought they’d have a simple evening within the octagon with him. The expertise hole right here can’t be ignored. If Abdul-Malik has not made vital strides in between fights, he’s at critical danger of shedding his undefeated file.
I’m not courageous sufficient to select Brundage, however I’d warn followers to maintain their expectations life like in relation to Abdul-Malik. He’s 27, he’s heading into his ninth professional bout, and he’s solely been a professional since 2021. Let’s give him time.
Choose: Abdul-Malik
Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
It is a huge step up for Oumar Sy, but in addition a crossroads struggle for Alonzo Menifield, a once-ranked mild heavyweight now struggling to regain that kind. At 37, it solely will get more durable for Menifield.
Sy’s recreation plan is easy. He’ll interact within the hanging solely so long as he has to earlier than a gap for a takedown presents itself. Count on loads of grind-y sequences in opposition to the cage as Sy and Menifield try and outmuscle one another.
Menifield wants just one shot to place Sy down, nevertheless it’s been awhile since we’ve seen “Atomic” constantly string collectively offense, particularly when his opponents are in his face. I assumed Menifield would roll over Julius Walker final time and that struggle was disturbingly shut.
I don’t know what Sy’s upside is on this ageing division, however Menifield is one veteran he ought to get by.
Choose: Sy
Preliminaries
Rodolfo Bellato def. Paul Craig
Michael Chiesa def. Courtroom McGee
Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho
Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden
Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman
Phil Rowe def. Ange Loosa
Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Vanessa Demopoulos
