UFC Atlanta: Joaquin Buckley challenges Kamaru Usman ahead of fight night - live streaming details, date, time and other main card matches
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Fan-favorite Joaquin Buckley on Tuesday threw a challenge to former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) ahead of UFC Fight Night in Atlanta , set to take place at State Farm Arena on Saturday (June 14).This marks the UFC's return to Atlanta after a six-year hiatus, with the last event in the city being UFC 236 in April 2019, where Dustin Poirier claimed the interim lightweight title in a memorable bout against Max Holloway.Buckley's bold callout adds extra intrigue to a stacked card in the Peach State. Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) believes he will be the next champion as he prepares to face Usman in their main event clash."Before you know it...I am going to have that belt around my waist pretty soon," Buckley claimed during a media interaction ahead of the big fight.Although no titles are at stake this weekend, the matchup is expected to command the most attention from fans. With high-profile names and intense rivalries in the mix, the fight promises excitement and drama, making it one of the most anticipated showdowns on the UFC Atlanta card.However, Kamaru Usman believes that his main event clash is the perfect opportunity to prove he remains a formidable force in the welterweight division.Determined to silence critics and reclaim his place among the elite, Usman sees this fight as a crucial step in his path back to the top."It's my time and my opportunity," Usman stated.Usman is set to return to the Octagon on Saturday, marking his first fight since his last bout at UFC 294 in October 2023. The former champion, now aged 38, enters this contest in an unfamiliar position, having lost his last three fights after an impressive run of 15 consecutive victories in the UFC.Over the past two years, Buckley has evolved significantly, transitioning from a competent yet smaller middleweight fighter into a legitimate challenger in the 170-pound division, achieving an impressive streak of six consecutive victories.Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin BuckleyState Farm ArenaJune 14, Saturday7pm Pacific TimeESPN/ESPN+ in United States and DAZNRose Namajunas vs Miranda MaverickEdmen Shahbazyan vs Andre PetroskiCody Garbrandt vs Raoni BarcelosMansur Abdul-Malik vs Cody BrundageAlonzo Menifield vs Oumar SyPaul Craig vs Rodolfo BellatoMichael Chiesa vs Court McGeeCody Durden vs Jose OchoaPhil Rowe vs Ange LoosaMalcolm Wellmaker vs Kris MoutinhoVanessa Demopoulos vs Jamey-Lyn Horth
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