UFC Atlanta Fight Card Odds And Predictions: Usman Vs. Buckley
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 20: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria poses on the scale during the ... More UFC 294 ceremonial weigh-in at Etihad Arena on October 20, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
On Saturday, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman looks to end his three-fight losing skid while simultaneously halting the rise of 170-pound contender Joaquin Buckley, who brings a six-fight winning streak with him into the main event of the UFC Atlanta fight card.
UFC Atlanta takes place on Saturday, June 14 from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The UFC Fight Night main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+. In the co-main event, former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas faces Miranda Maverick in a pivotal flyweight bout.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 21: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria reacts after a decision loss ... More against Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates in a middleweight fight during the UFC 294 event at Etihad Arena on October 21, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Kamaru Usman (20-4) , the former UFC welterweight champion, enters UFC Atlanta on a three-fight losing skid. The 38-year-old last fought in October 2023, when he dropped a split decision to Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight matchup.
Usman lost his 170-pound crown to Edwards via a head-kick knockout at UFC 278 in August 2022. He dropped the rematch at UFC 286 in March of 2023 via a majority decision. Before his loss, Usman had defended the title five times.
Usman is the No. 5 ranked fighter in the UFC's welterweight weight class. He has a career record of 20-3.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 05: Joaquin Buckley reacts after his knockout victory against Stephen ... More Thompson in a welterweight fight during the UFC 307 event at Delta Center on October 05, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Joaquin Buckley (21-6) is the No. 7 fighter in the UFC's 170-pound weight class. The 31-year-old Buckley is one quite a run since dropping to welterweight in 2023.
Buckley is 6-0 during his current welterweight run with four knockouts and two decision wins. He fought four times in 2024, picking up a knockout win over Vicente Luque, a decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev, a knockout over two-time UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson. Buckley finished the year with a doctor stoppage TKO win over former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington in December.
When BetOnline first published opening odds for this matchup, Usman opened as a -170 betting favorite over Buckley, who was initially listed at +140. The betting line has moved in a big way. Today, Buckley is the -285 favorite, while Usman is the +245 betting underdog.
Age: 38
Height: 6' 0'
Reach: 76'
Stance: Switch
Age: 31
Height: 5' 10'
Reach: 76'
Stance: Southpaw
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 05: Joaquin Buckley reacts after his knockout victory against Stephen ... More Thompson in a welterweight fight during the UFC 307 event at Delta Center on October 05, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
It's a cliche, but it's also true. It being the phrase, time catches up with everyone. Time has caught up with Kamaru Usman, and the fact that he hasn't fought in close to 20 months won't help him on Saturday. Especially since his opponent, Joaquin Buckley, has stepped into the Octagon four times since Usman's last fight, going 4-0 with three knockouts during that time.
Usman has fought better competition over his career. If this matchup had been booked while he was running roughshod over the welterweight division between 2015 and 2021 with a 15-fight winning streak, the outlook for this fight would be much better for the former UFC champ. Unfortunately, this contest is taking place in 2025, which bodes much better for Buckley.
Buckley is not an accurate striker, as he only connects on 37 percent of his attempted significant strikes. However, he is powerful, having racked up 15 of his 21 career wins via knockout. With that, look for Usman to use his defense to avoid the power of his opponent in this matchup. However, those defensive skills won't keep Buckley from connecting and scoring with his power punches over this five-round affair.
The betting pick is for Buckley to win via decision with a chance of a Buckley knockout victory.
We will have more on the UFC Atlanta fight card as fight night nears, and fight night results and reactions on Saturday.
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