Kamaru Usman makes his long-awaited return to the octagon for his main event fight at UFC Atlanta.
The Nigerian is fighting for the first time since 2023, when Kamaru Usman lost to Leon Edwards (twice) and Khamzat Chimaev.
The 38-year-old seemed like he had retired, but Usman is returning to the octagon to face the challenge of Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta on June 14th.
Meanwhile, the co-main event of UFC Atlanta is a Women’s Flyweight bout between Rose Namajunas and Miranda Maverick.
Namajunas remains #7 in the rankings despite a recent loss to Erin Blanchfield, but the #11-ranked Maverick will have the confidence to add to her 4 victories in a row.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch UFC Atlanta and the rest of the matches set to take place at the event.
- READ MORE – Joaquin Buckley becomes a welterweight bounty hunter in promo video after booking Kamaru Usman fight
What time does UFC Atlanta start?
UFC Atlanta will take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 14th.
The event will start with preliminaries at 7:00 PM (ET), 4:00 PM (PT), and 12:00 AM (BST).
Following on from that, the main card gets underway at 10:00 PM (ET), 7:00 PM (PT), and 3:00 AM (BST).
How to watch and live stream UFC Atlanta?
In the USA, both the prelims and the main card of UFC Atlanta will be available to watch on ESPN+ from 7:00 PM onwards, with no need to switch over once the prelims have finished.
Fans in the UK will be able to watch the prelims through the UFC Fight Pass from midnight before switching over to TNT Sports for coverage of the main card of UFC Atlanta from 03:00 AM.
UFC Atlanta – who’s fighting?
Main card
- Welterweight: Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley
- Women’s Flyweight: Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick
- Bantamweight: Ricky Simón vs. Charles Jourdain
- Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Court McGee
- Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage
- Women’s Flyweight: Tereza Bledá vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth
- Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski
- Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa
- Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
Michael Bisping warns Usman to retire if he loses comeback fight
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has warned Usman that he should retire if he loses his comeback bout against Buckley at UFC Atlanta.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping said: “If Kamaru Usman loses this fight, will that be the end of his career? I’m not throwing any shade,” the UFC Hall of Famer said.
“I’ve got nothing but the greatest respect and deep admiration for Kamaru Usman. He’s a solid human being, he’s an incredible fighter, he’s been a great ambassador for this sport.
“However, 37 years old, hasn’t been too active, and then if you lose four in a row, maybe it’s time to think about walking away from the sport.
“As I say, I don’t say that lightly. He’s a great guy, but we know Joaquin Buckley is coming into this one revved up. This is the biggest fight of his career. They always are, by the way. But this one is the big one.
“This one is the final hurdle; this is the one that gets him a title fight, maybe if he’s victorious. He’s only 30 years old.”
Usman will fight Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta, marking his first fight in nearly two years.