State Farm Arena in Atlanta was the stage for an exciting night of fights at UFC on ESPN: Usman vs. Buckley. The main event featured a highly anticipated welterweight clash between former champion Kamaru Usman and rising competitor Joaquin Buckley. The fight card showcased promising matchups, making this event a must-watch for combat sports fans.
In the co-main event, former women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas faced off against Miranda Maverick, adding further anticipation to the evening's lineup. With significant rankings on the line, both bouts had fans eagerly awaiting the action, which kicked off at 10 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN, following preliminary fights that started at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
The main card delivered thrilling results, with Kamaru Usman defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Usman. This victory solidified Usman's status as a top contender in the welterweight division and showcased his exceptional skills. Meanwhile, Rose Namajunas secured a unanimous decision win against Miranda Maverick, with the judges scoring it 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28, proving that she remains a formidable force in women's MMA.
Additional main card results included Edmen Shahbazyan claiming a unanimous decision victory over Andre Petroski with scores of 30–27, 30–27, and 29–28. Raoni Barcelos also demonstrated his skills by defeating Cody Garbrandt, again by unanimous decision with a score of 29–28 from all three judges. Mansur Abdul-Malik made a statement with a TKO victory over Cody Brundage, finishing him with punches in the third round. Finally, Alonzo Menifield triumphed over Oumar Sy via technical decision, winning the bout 30–27, 29–28, and 29–28 after the fight was stopped early in the third round due to an injury.
The preliminary card provided its own share of excitement. A matchup between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig ended in a no contest due to an illegal upkick just one second before the end of the first round. Michael Chiesa won decisively against Court McGee, earning a unanimous decision with a score of 30–27 across the board. Malcolm Wellmaker delivered a striking performance with a knockout against Kris Moutinho in the first round, finishing the fight at 2:37. Furthermore, Jose Ochoa impressed the audience with a quick knockout over Cody Durden just 11 seconds into the second round.
Ricky Simon also showcased his skills with a unanimous decision victory over Cameron Smotherman, winning all three judges' scores at 30–27. Phil Rowe concluded the preliminary action with a TKO victory over Ange Loosa in the third round at 4:03. The night wrapped up with Jamey-Lyn Horth defeating Vanessa Demopoulos by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the fight 30-27 in her favor.
UFC on ESPN: Usman vs. Buckley was a night filled with action, showcasing both established champions and rising contenders in exciting matchups. With this event, the fighters not only displayed their skills but also set the stage for future matchups in the highly competitive world of UFC. Fans are tuning in to witness the relentless spirit and incredible performances that continue to define the sport.
