Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is ready for his first Octagon outing since 2023, as he books a major occasion conflict in opposition to the streaking Joaquin Buckley on June 14. at UFC Combat Night time Atlanta within the promotion’s return to Georgia.
Usman, the present quantity 4 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he fought the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on short-notice, struggling a controversial majority choice loss in opposition to the Chechen in a short-notice middleweight divisional loss.
Kamaru Usman books return struggle in opposition to Joaquin Buckley
As for the Buckley, the streaking St. Louis native most not too long ago headlined UFC Tampa on the finish of December final yr, stopping common-foe, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington in a 3rd spherical physician’s stoppage victory of their grudge match.
UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed the pairing of Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley throughout an Instagram Dwell stream tonight on social media.
Within the midst of a disappointing run of three straight losses, Auchi native, Usman had dropped back-to-back rematch and subsequent rubber match defeats to former champion, Leon Edwards earlier than his contentious loss in opposition to the undefeated, Chimaev.
Throughout his welterweight pomp, the previous pound-for-pound primary had turned in a formidable run of consecutive title defenses.
Successful the crown in opposition to former champion, Tyron Woodley, Usman would twice beat each Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal in stoppage wins, in between one other knockout win over former coaching accomplice, Gilbert Burns.
Throughout his rise to the quantity six rank on the welterweight restrict, Buckley has turned in consecutive victories over the likes of Covington, former title challenger, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Alex Morono, and Andre Fialho.
UFC Combat Night time Atlanta takes place on June 14. in Georgia, with Kamaru Usman’s return in opposition to Joaquin Buckley set to take major occasion honors.
Within the night time’s co-main occasion, former two-time strawweight queen, Rose Namajunas returns in a flyweight struggle in opposition to Miranda Maverick.
