This is the UFC Atlanta live blog for Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley, the welterweight main event Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Usman (15-3), the former UFC welterweight champion, returns to the division for the first time in over 800 days. He lost two straight title fights to Leon Edwards and then had a one-fight sojourn against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev that ended in a third consecutive defeat despite Usman putting on a strong performance. At 38, this looks like a do-or-die fight for the future Hall of Famer.
For Buckley (20-6), this is a chance to knock off another veteran contender and the biggest opponent of his career. Buckley dropped down to the welterweight division and hasn’t looked back, winning six straight fights with recent wins over Colby Covington and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Currently No. 7 at 170 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Buckley can make a strong case for a title shot if he can get past a fighter once considered to be No. 1 in the world pound-for-pound.
Check out the UFC Atlanta live blog for Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley below.
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