Joaquin Buckley’s wish has been granted as he is set to face off against former UFC champion Kamaru Usman.
Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) will take on ex-welterweight champion Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 257 on June 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The highly anticipated matchup was officially announced by the promotion on Friday evening.
After his victory over Colby Covington by TKO at UFC on ESPN 63 last December, Buckley asked the crowd for their opinion on his next opponent. Usman received the most enthusiastic response, and Buckley ultimately chose to face him. The 30-year-old fighter has been on a winning streak in the octagon since moving back down to the welterweight division, with four finishes in his last six fights.
Usman will be making his return to the octagon after a nearly two-year hiatus. “The Nigerian Nightmare” is coming off a three-fight losing streak, with his most recent loss being a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight bout at UFC 294 in October 2023.
Joining Buckley and Usman on the UFC Fight Night 257 card are:
- Joaquin Buckley vs. Kamaru Usman
- Miranda Maverick vs. Rose Namajunas
- Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
- Tereza Bleda vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth
- Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
- Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa
- Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage