UFC Atlanta Pay: Rose Namajunas Earns Highest Reported Fighter Payout
Saturday's UFC Atlanta fight card saw two former UFC champions walk away with victories. In the main event, ex-UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman ended a three-fight losing skid with a decision win over Joaquin Buckley. Meanwhile, in the UFC Fight Night's co-main event contest, former two-time UFC strawweight titleholder Rose Namajunas defeated Miranda Maverick via decision. Below, we look at disclosed fighter pay/salaries for the UFC Atlanta fight card.
Kamaru Usman: $300,000, no win bonus
Joaquin Buckley: $150,000
Rose Namajunas: $500,000 ($250,000 to show, $250,000 win bonus)
Miranda Maverick: $125,000
Edmen Shabazyan: $186,000 ($93,000 to show, $93,000 win bonus)
Andre Petroski: $100,000
Raoni Barcelos: $102,000 ($51,000 to show, $51,000 win bonus)
Cody Garbrandt: $275,000
Mansur Abdul-Malik: $28,000 ($14,000 to show, $14,000 win bonus)
Cody Brundage: $65,000
Alonzo Menifield: $250,000 ($125,000 to show, $125,000 win bonus)
Oumar Sy: $26,000
Rodolfo Bellato: $12,000
Paul Craig: $125,000
Michael Chiesa: $300,000 ($150,000 to show, $150,000 win bonus)
Court McGee: $83,000
Malcolm Wellmaker: $24,000 ($12,000 to show, $12,000 win bonus)
Kris Moutinho: $14,000
Jose Ochoa: $20,000 ($10,000 to show, $10,000 win bonus)
Cody Durden: $63,000
Ricky Simon: $166,000 ($83,000 to show, $83,000 win bonus)
Cameron Smotherman: $14,000
Phil Rowe: $110,000 ($55,000 to show, $55,000 win bonus)
Ange Loosa: $30,000
Jamey-Lyn Horth: $50,000 ($25,000 to show, $25,000 win bonus)
Vanessa Demopoulos: $65,000
*Numbers via MMA Fighting
Kamaru Usman defeats Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Rose Namajunas defeats Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Edmen Shahbazyan defeats Andre Petroski via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Raoni Barcelos defeats Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Mansur Abdul-Malik defeats Cody Brundage via technical decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alonzo Menifield defeats Oumar Sy via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato ends in a no contest (Accidental illegal upkick)
Michael Chiesa defeats Court McGee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Malcolm Wellmaker defeats Kris Moutinho at 2:37 of Round 1 (Punch to head at distance)
Jose Ochoa defats Cody Durden via knockout at 0:11 of Round 2 (Punch to head at distance)
Ricky Simón defeats Cameron Smotherman via (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Phil Rowe defeats Ange Loosa via TKO at 4:02 of Round 3 (Punches to head in clinch)
Jamey-Lyn Horth defeats Vanessa Demopoulos via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 14: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria reacts after defeating Joaquin Buckley in a ... More welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman ended a three-fight losing skid on Saturday night in the main event of the UFC Atlanta card, cruising to an upset decision win over the younger and favored Joaquin Buckley. The win was Usman's first victory since his final defense of the UFC 170-pound crown in November 2021.
Usman's route to victory was to avoid Buckley's heavy hands, score takedowns, and rack up ground control with his heavy top game. Usman picked up one takedown in each of the first four rounds, which was all he needed. Once he had Buckley on his back, Usman kept him on the mat for the rest of the round, picking up 12:26 of control time over the first 20 minutes of the fight. Usman did not get a takedown in the fifth stanza, but he did not need it, as he was ahead on all three scorecards heading into the fifth.
It will be interesting to see how the UFC books the 38-year-old Usman after his dominant performance on Saturday night.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 14: Rose Namajunas reacts after finishing three rounds against Miranda ... More Maverick in a women's flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
Rose Namajunas fought a smart three-round battle against Miranda Maverick in Atlanta. Her striking was on point, and her top game was hard for Maverick to deal with. The win won't answer questions about Namajunas's ability to compete with the top women in the 125-pound division, but she'll at least hold on to her No. 7 ranking in the division.
The next fight card on the UFC schedule is the UFC Baku event, which takes place on Saturday, June 21.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
5 best fantasy football running back value picks in 2025
NFL teams are running the ball more productively than at almost any point in the last decade. The running game is back but that hasn't always translated to fantasy football. Entering the 2025 NFL season, there are a handful of players widely expected to be the top scorers at the position. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey are among those experts predict will be reliable double-digit scorers week in and week out. Look at the next tier of running backs in fantasy football and you'll find productive players at the position with some question marks. Ashton Jeanty has plenty of hype but is a rookie in arguably the toughest division in the NFL. Bucky Irving had an impressive rookie season but enters Year 2 with a new offensive coordinator. Johnathan Taylor hasn't played a full season since 2021 which negates his solid production when on the field. This list isn't about the first two or even three tiers of fantasy football running backs. This is about finding value beyond the top 15 players at the position entering 2025. That's where mid-round flyers on players could make the difference between competing for a title and hoping to avoid last-place punishments. USA TODAY Sports identified five value picks at running back who could outplay their current average draft position (ADP) in 2025: Fantasy football RB value picks ADP is from FantasyPros and in half-PPR league formats. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks ADP: RB17, OVR42 The fourth-year running back has never been down on talent. His issue throughout his career has been availability; he's missed 10 games over his first three seasons in the NFL. The Seahawks had the fifth-worst rushing offense in the NFL a year ago. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will offer schematic improvements that should play to Walker's strengths, specifically in outside zone runs. He's going this low likely because of injury concerns and worries about Seattle's offensive line. The Seahawks spent their first round pick on guard Grey Zabel, showing how committed they are to improving up front. That's enough reason to have optimism about Walker in 2025. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans ADP: RB25, OVR61 Pollard managed 1,317 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns last season in a Titans offense that was a bottom-eight unit in points and yards. Tennessee overhauled a lot on offense this offseason with a new quarterback in No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, two new starters on the offensive line and a revamped wide receiver room. All of this should see the Titans offense take a step forward on offense to at least get closer to the middle of the pack. That rising tide should elevate Pollard to a solid No. 2 running back. Tyjae Spears' injury will keep him sidelined for the rest of the preseason, giving Pollard the majority of touches with the first-team offense. Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers ADP: RB28, OVR71 Rookie running backs can be hard to predict but Johnson may be in a good situation to outproduce his current draft position. Even with the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will still want to run the ball effectively. Johnson fits the bill well as an early-down back in that system. A healthy offensive line in Pittsburgh could take a step this year with center Zach Frazier, right guard Mason McCormick and right tackle Troy Fautanu all entering their second year in the NFL. In his time as a play-caller on offense, Smith has ranked in the top-10 in rushing attempts five times in six NFL seasons. Last year the Steelers were fourth in the league in rushing attempts. The volume is there for Johnson to produce beyond his RB28 status. Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings ADP: RB34, OVR92 Minnesota has traditionally had one primary running back during coach Kevin O'Connell's tenure. That's reportedly changed this offseason during training camp as it's been closer to an even split between Aaron Jones Sr. and Mason. The Vikings invested in the offensive line with new starters at center and both guard spots. They're dropping in an unproven quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. This should lead Minnesota to rely more on the running game in 2025 than in years past. The Vikings traded one of their few draft picks for Mason this offseason. Through the first seven games of 2024, only two running backs had more rushing yards: Henry and Barkley. He's been productive when given the opportunity and could usurp the 30-year-old Jones as the Vikings' primary back over the course of the season. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys ADP: RB36, OVR111 Regardless of their playoff chances in 2025, the Cowboys should be a more productive offense on the ground. They spent their top pick on guard Tyler Booker, a mauler in the run game, and brought in Klayton Adams from Arizona to be their offensive coordinator. Adams had a big role in the Cardinals' running scheme which has been one of the most diverse in the league over recent seasons. Williams is currently slated to start for the Cowboys. He played in all 17 games last season for Denver with 11 starts but managed just 859 yards from scrimmage. Williams should have the edge over other running backs in Dallas to start the season. He could easily benefit from the ground game's improvement under Adams and outplay his status as a low-end RB3. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top 5 fantasy football RB steals in 2025 drafts
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jets CB Michael Carter is peaking at the right time
New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II had an uneven 2024 season. The 2021 fifth-round selection battled multiple injuries last year. Carter missed two midseason contests due to a back injury. He suffered a setback with that injury later in the season, missing two more games. Carter is back healthy and peaking at the right time. The Jets signed Carter to a three–year, $30.75 million contract extension that last September that included $13.61 million guaranteed at signing, making him the highest-paid nickel corner at the time. In Week 2 of the preseason, Carter made an instant impact that proves the Jets are fortunate to have him back healthy. Carter played just four defensive snaps versus the Giants. Though the sample size deserves consideration, Pro Football Focus assigned him an elite defensive grade of 90.4 for his showing. On a third-and-5 in the second quarter, Giants quarterback Russell Wilson completed a swing pass to Devin Singletary. Carter made this outstanding wrap-up tackle to force a punt: The Jets have Sauce Gardner and offseason addition Brandon Stephens at boundary cornerback. Carter is an elite nickel corner who helps complete the Jets defense. In just four plays, Carter reminded the fanbase of his effectiveness. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets preseason Week 2: CB Michael Carter is peaking at the right time
USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
Aljamain Sterling still believes in Aaron Pico after devastating UFC 319 debut
Aljamain Sterling still sees potential in Aaron Pico after UFC 319. Pico (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) lost his octagon debut when he was knocked out by a Lerone Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) spinning back elbow in Saturday's co-main event at United Center in Chicago. Pico now has been knocked out in four of his five professional losses, which Sterling finds concerning, but thinks the 28-year-old has the skillset to rebound. "One hundred percent," Sterling told MMA Junkie of Pico bouncing back. "I think it was just one tactical error, and something he made a similar mistake in Bellator. I don't know how he did that again, but this time I feel like that one was way worse. I don't know. I have to go back and see the other knockout, but they were both bad. But again, he looked great, he looked like a world-beater. There was one point where Lerone caught him with one clean shot where he looked like he shot in because he got hurt. So, I'm a little bit curious to see if he's chinny. "That spinning back elbow would have probably knocked anybody out, but yeah, that was always my question mark. Does he have a chin to go with his fight style? Because he's so aggressive and if he lands first, that's the fight. But the other guys catch him, you don't know. But I think he can still make some noise in the division. I mean, 'Pitbull' (Freire) lost his debut, came back, and won his second one. We'll see how Patchy (Mix) does, and we'll see how Pico bounces back. It's all about the mental aspect of it." Though the fight didn't last long, Pico was able to land two takedowns and out-strike Murphy before getting caught at the 3:21 mark of Round 1.
