Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, brought Kamaru Usman to the stage for a fierce ceremonial weigh-in faceoff against Joaquin Buckley on June 13, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Usman, a former welterweight champion, and Buckley, a rising contender, made weight for their main event fight today, June 14, 2025.
Usman aims to stop a three-fight losing streak, while Buckley seeks to extend his unbeaten welterweight run. This bout could reshape the 170-pound division.
Lead-Up to the Faceoff
Kamaru Usman, born in Auchi, Nigeria, and raised in Texas, held the UFC welterweight title from 2019 to 2021. He defended it five times, beating fighters like Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington. His UFC record is 20-4, with his last win over Gilbert Burns in February 2021.
Usman lost twice to Leon Edwards in title fights and once to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight in October 2023. At 38, he strives to reclaim his elite status.
Joaquin Buckley, from St. Louis, Missouri, has a 21-6 record. After a 1-2 middleweight stint, he moved to welterweight in 2023, going 6-0 with four stoppages. His 2024 TKO over Covington at UFC Tampa in December boosted his ranking.
Tension at the Weigh-In
Ngannou, now with PFL, stood with Usman during the faceoff, showcasing their bond as African-born fighters. The UFC posted on social media, “NEITHER WILL BACK DOWN FROM THIS ONE.” Usman and Buckley locked eyes in a tense staredown, showing their resolve.
Buckley relies on his knockout power to challenge the former champion. Ngannou’s presence signaled strong support for Usman’s comeback.
Former UFC champ Francis Ngannou made a surprise entrance with Kamaru Usman at #UFCAtlanta ceremonial weigh-ins 👀 pic.twitter.com/CFxiBItm7z
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 13, 2025
NEITHER WILL BACK DOWN FROM THIS ONE 💥@Usman84KG vs @NewMansa94
[ #UFCAtlanta | TOMORROW on @ESPNPlus | 10pmET ] pic.twitter.com/duJa2xfbuc
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2025
Usman began MMA in 2012, earning a UFC contract on The Ultimate Fighter 21 in 2015. He won the welterweight title at UFC 235 in 2019, dominating Woodley. His defenses included knockouts over Covington and Jorge Masvidal, proving his skill.
Recent losses raised concerns about his durability, but Usman dismissed knee issues recently. A win today could position him for a title shot against Belal Muhammad.
Buckley joined the UFC in 2020. His viral knockout of Impa Kasanganay at UFC Fight Island 5 drew notice. After middleweight struggles, his welterweight move sparked a 6-0 streak. Wins over Stephen Thompson and Covington in 2024 made him a contender.
Buckley believes he deserves a title shot over lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Beating Usman today could strengthen his case.
Today’s main event tests Usman’s experience against Buckley’s momentum. A victory for Usman would quiet critics and revive his title hopes. For Buckley, defeating a former champion would cement his rise as a top welterweight.
The UFC Atlanta card, airing live on ESPN+ with prelims at 7 p.m. ET and the main card at 10 p.m. ET, includes Rose Namajunas versus Miranda Maverick.
