UFC Atlanta preview: Seven burning questions ahead of Usman vs. Buckley

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to “A-Town” for the first time since 2019, and it’s bringing a very fun card top to bottom (see it here). In the main event, No. 5-ranked, former Welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, takes on the surging No. 7-seeded Joaquin Buckley.

That’s not all.

Here are seven questions ahead of UFC Atlanta …

What is Kamaru Usman fighting for?

“The Nigerian Nightmare” finds himself at a career crossroads. For the first time, he’s on a three-fight losing streak, albeit against elite competition: Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards (twice).

As a former Welterweight champion who dominated the division for years, what’s left for Usman to prove at 38? Is it the allure of becoming a two-time champion? Securing financial stability for life after fighting? Middleweight gold? Cementing his legacy? Or, simply satisfying his competitive ego?

Ultimately, Usman doesn’t have anything left to prove other than that he can compete with young, up-and-comers.

Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Does Buckley leapfrog other top contenders with a win over Usman?

The Welterweight title picture is kind of a mess right now for the top-ranked fighters. Division champion, Jack Della Maddalena, is going to fight former Lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev, later this year, but the next title challenger is up in the air.

No. 2-ranked Sean Brady is coming off a win over “Rocky” Edwards and probably should be next. Meanwhile, No. 3-seeded Shavkat Rakhmonov was promised a title shot after his win over Ian Garry, plus he was scheduled for a title fight before Belal Muhammad got injured.

No. 6-ranked Garry weighed in as the backup at UFC 315 and is coming off a short-notice win over Carlos Prates.

These three Welterweights are strong contenders for the next title shot. But, if Buckley goes out and smokes Usman — something only “Rocky” has achieved — could he jump ahead of this trio?

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Why is Rose Namajunas fighting Miranda Maverick?

Former two-time Strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, faces Miranda Maverick in this weekend’s co-main event. The matchup raises eyebrows: Namajunas and Maverick were training and sparring partners in recent years, and Maverick, ranked No. 11, has been lackluster in her recent performances, even turning a win into a loss.

So, why did “Thug Rose” take this fight, especially after losing to No. 4-ranked Erin Blanchfield? Is it a strategic move to rebuild momentum or something else entirely?

Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Is Edmen Shahbazyan going to get wrestled to death again?

UFC Atlanta’s featured bout pits Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski in a classic “Striker vs. Grappler” showdown.

Since breaking his three-fight losing streak, Shahbazyan has alternated wins and losses. Notably, all his defeats have come against opponents who exploited his wrestling deficiencies.

Petroski, known for his relentless grappling, poses a familiar threat. With new coaches in his corner, Shahbazyan may have bolstered his wrestling defense, but we won’t know until fight night.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Is Cody Garbrandt still elite?

Former Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt returns after a 14-month hiatus to face Raoni Barcelos, a “journeyman” coming off a surprising upset over Payton Talbott.

Garbrandt’s star has faded since losing his title, though he’s shown flashes of brilliance against lower-tier opponents like Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher. His losses, however, have all come against top-ranked fighters.

A loss to Barcelos could signal the end of Garbrandt’s time among the division’s elite.

Is Mansur Abdul-Malik going to run through Cody Brundage?

Rising Middleweight prospect, Mansur Abdul-Malik, takes on veteran Cody Brundage, a significant step up from his first two UFC opponents.

Brundage’s performances have been inconsistent, but at his best, he’s a formidable threat. While he often struggles against aggressive fighters, his last fight showed he can endure adversity.

Abdul-Malik enters as a massive -800 betting favorite.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

How much has Kris Moutinho improved?

Kris Moutinho returns to UFC after five fights outside the promotion, facing a daunting challenge in Malcolm Wellmaker, the card’s biggest betting favorite (historic favorite, actually).

In his first UFC run, Moutinho earned respect for (almost) surviving three rounds with Sean O’Malley, but a quick knockout loss to 42-year-old Guido Cannetti led to his release.

Since then, Moutinho has racked up five finishes against solid regional competition, showcasing his relentless aggression. He’s unlikely to become a top contender, but a refined skillset could earn him a longer UFC stint and deliver exciting fights.

LIVE! Stream UFC Atlanta On ESPN+

WELTERWEIGHT CROSSROADS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) crashes State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sat., June 14, 2025, with UFC Atlanta. Former 170-pound champion, Kamaru Usman, collides with fast-rising knockout artist, Joaquin Buckley, in a blistering main event mashup scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. In UFC Atlanta’s co-main event, former strawweight titleholder, Rose Namajunas, locks horns with grizzled 125-pound veteran, Miranda Maverick, setting the stage for an explosive showdown in the women’s flyweight division.

Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Atlanta fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Atlanta: “Usman vs. Buckley” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.