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Kamaru Usman Hits Mark for UFC Atlanta Return, Eyes Redemption at Welterweight

Kamaru Usman Hits Mark for UFC Atlanta Return, Eyes Redemption at Welterweight

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is officially set for his return to the 170-pound division, as he successfully weighed in at 171 pounds for his UFC Atlanta main event clash against the surging Joaquin Buckley. This marks Usman’s first bout in the division since his March 2023 title defeat to Leon Edwards, a loss that capped off a three-fight saga and ended his reign atop the division.


Usman, once regarded as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, now steps back into welterweight competition after a brief stint at middleweight. Facing him is Buckley, who continues to turn heads since dropping from 185 pounds. Buckley, also weighing in at 171, has compiled a six-fight winning streak that includes impressive wins over elite contenders like Colby Covington and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Buckley presents a serious threat to Usman's comeback plans.


The co-main event is also locked in, with former strawweight queen Rose Namajunas and Miranda Maverick both tipping the scale at 126 pounds. Namajunas, now targeting flyweight gold, is looking to extend her momentum against Maverick, who enters on a four-fight win streak. A win here would be crucial for either woman in the flyweight title race.


All fighters scheduled for UFC Atlanta made weight successfully, though there was some late drama involving middleweight prospect Mansur Abdul-Malik. The undefeated fighter initially came in one pound over the non-title middleweight limit but quickly rebounded. With just minutes left in the weigh-in window, Abdul-Malik returned and made the required 186 pounds after stripping down under a privacy box.


The rest of the 13-fight card is intact, featuring names like Cody Garbrandt, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Michael Chiesa in high-stakes matchups.



Main Card:

  • Kamaru Usman (171) vs. Joaquin Buckley (171)

  • Rose Namajunas (126) vs. Miranda Maverick (126)

  • Edmen Shahbazyan (185) vs. Andre Petroski (186)

  • Cody Garbrandt (136) vs. Raoni Barcelos (136)

  • Mansur Abdul-Malik (186) vs. Cody Brundage (186)

  • Alonzo Menifield (206) vs. Oumar Sy (206)


Preliminary Card:

  • Paul Craig (206) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (205.5)

  • Michael Chiesa (171) vs. Court McGee (170)

  • Malcolm Wellmaker (136) vs. Kris Moutinho (136)

  • Cody Durden (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)

  • Ricky Simon (136) vs. Cameron Smotherman (136)

  • Phil Rowe (171) vs. Ange Loosa (171)

  • Jamey-Lyn Horth (126) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (126)


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