Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, is set to return after an 18-month hiatus, headlining UFC Fight Night Atlanta on June 14 2025 against rising star Joaquin Buckley. UFC President Dana White announced the matchup via Instagram Live, prompting an enthusiastic response from Usman on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. The event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta marks a critical moment for Usman, known as “The Nigerian Nightmare,” as he faces Buckley’s knockout power in a welterweight clash that could shake up the division.
Usman shared his excitement for the fight, saying:
“I’m tired of all the talking. I had to take a little bit of a sabbatical, like I’ve said. Now I’m back from that sabbatical. That’s right, Henry, you heard it right. Your boy is back in there. I’m ready to spin. You know what they say, if you wanna win, put Boobie in. I’m ready, Henry. I’m back in there June 14th, live from Atlanta, Georgia taking on [Joaquin Buckley].”
He also praised Buckley’s style, adding:
“It’s a great fight, he’s very aggressive, he’s strong, he’s athletic. I like that. Every now and again, that warrior-spirit, you need to exercise it. That’s what we come from. I’m one of those guys, to where I put in so much time and effort, you’ve got to feel the fight a little bit.”
#UFCAtlanta has its headliners 🚨@Usman84kg vs @NewMansa94@RoseNamajunas vs @FearTheMaverick
Tickets on sale May 2 | Info: https://t.co/8HQfIg4b0R pic.twitter.com/lav45WCWaz
— UFC (@ufc) April 25, 2025
A High-Stakes Welterweight Showdown
Usman, 37, has a 20-4 record with 9 knockouts and held the welterweight title from 2019 to 2022, defending it five times against opponents like Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. His significant strike accuracy is 53%, and he averages 4.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. However, he’s coming off three consecutive losses, unanimous decisions to Leon Edwards in August 2022 and March 2023, and a short-notice middleweight defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023. Facing Buckley offers Usman a chance to reassert himself, with a potential title shot against the winner of Belal Muhammad versus Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May 2025 on the horizon.
Buckley, 30, boasts a 21-6 record with 15 knockouts and is on a six-fight win streak since moving to welterweight in 2023. His recent third-round TKO over Colby Covington at UFC Tampa in December 2024, along with viral knockouts of Stephen Thompson and Impa Kasanganay, showcase his devastating power.
The co-main event features Rose Namajunas versus Miranda Maverick in the flyweight division, adding depth to the card.
The winner could be next for a title shot, raising the stakes for this Atlanta main event. As UFC Atlanta nears, Usman’s wrestling and experience will meet Buckley’s athleticism and knockout threat. This fight is poised to deliver action and shape the welterweight division’s future.
