Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 69 | Preview & Prediction
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The main event at UFC on ESPN 69 in Atlanta promises to be a blockbuster as Kamaru Usman returns to meet the surging Joaquin Buckley
Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley Facts
What time are Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley expected to walk out?
Where is UFC on ESPN 69? State Farm Arena, Atlanta, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 69? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 69
What TV channel is UFC on ESPN 69 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 69? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC on ESPN 69 main card
Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
Rose Namajunas vs Miranda Maverick (Women’s Flyweight)
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Cody Garbrandt vs Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Cody Brundage (Middleweight)
Alonzo Menifield vs Oumar Sy (Light Heavyweight)
UFC on ESPN 69 prelims
Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato (Light Heavyweight)
Michael Chiesa vs Court McGee (Welterweight)
Malcolm Wellmaker vs Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Cody Durden vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Ricky Simon vs Cameron Smotherman (Bantamweight)
Philip Rowe vs Ange Loosa (Welterweight)
Jamey-Lyn Horth vs Vanessa Demopoulos (Women’s Flyweight)
Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley prediction
Kamaru Usman (20-4) returns to action for the first time since October 2023 as he looks to snap a tough three-fight losing streak. The former welterweight champion made his debut at middleweight but lost to Khamzat Chimaev last time out and now returns to welterweight.
Usman stepped in for that Chimaev fight at short notice after Paulo Costa withdrew but the decision backfired as he was dominated by Chimaev.
He has taken time out to reset and now he comes back to the Octagon and faces one of the most in-form fighters in the division.
Joaquin Buckley (21-6) is loving life right now having won his last six bouts and his confidence is through the roof. He has not lost in over three and a half years and four of his six wins have come by knockout.
So much in this fight depends on what mental and physical shape Usman returns in. He has not been the same since Leon Edwards’ stunning head kick knocked him out in August 2022 but the time away may help him reset.
He is coming up against a ferocious fighter in Buckley who is flying high at the moment. He has not fought at the levels that Usman have but it remains to be seen as to whether Usman is still at that level.
Based on recent bouts, we are struggling to see past Buckley in this one. Even though Buckley does not have experience of fighting over five rounds, he has been far more active and is seven years younger than Usman so we do not think that will be an issue. We think Buckley gets the win against a potentially rusty Usman.
Prediction: Joaquin Buckley to win
