The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on June 14, 2025, for UFC Fight Night: Usman vs Buckley. The event marked the promotion's fifth visit to Atlanta and first since UFC 236 in April 2019. Headlining the card was a highly-anticipated welterweight clash between former champion Kamaru "The Nigerian Nightmare" Usman and surging contender Joaquin "New Mansa" Buckley. After a 20-month layoff - the longest of his career - and riding a three-fight losing streak, Usman faced a Buckley who entered as the betting favorite on a six-fight winning streak that included knockout victories over Vicente Luque, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, and Colby Covington.
The co-main event featured former two-time strawweight champion Rose "Thug Rose" Namajunas moving forward at flyweight against rising contender Miranda Maverick. The 13-fight card delivered memorable moments including Georgia native Malcolm Wellmaker's hometown knockout and a controversial no contest involving an illegal upkick. What unfolded was an emotional night where Usman turned back the clock and proved he remains elite despite his lengthy absence.
Table of Contents
UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley Main Card Results
Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley - Main Event (Welterweight)
Kamaru Usman (Nigeria/United States) def. Joaquin Buckley (United States - St. Louis, MO) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
In an emotional return performance, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman turned back the clock with a vintage wrestling clinic, thoroughly dominating dangerous contender Joaquin Buckley over five rounds. Fighting for the first time in 20 months and seeking his first victory since August 2021, Usman proved he remains among the division's elite.
Usman, the Nigerian-born wrestling specialist who held the welterweight title from 2019-2021, entered having lost three consecutive fights for the first time in his professional career. His championship reign ended with Leon Edwards's legendary fifth-round comeback in 2022, followed by a trilogy loss to Edwards and a short-notice middleweight loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023.
Buckley brought momentum and status as the betting favorite. The St. Louis striker's six-fight winning streak included spectacular knockouts of longtime contenders Luque, Thompson, and notably Covington - a three-time title challenger and former Usman rival.
No touch of gloves began the championship affair. Buckley pawned the jab early, but less than a minute into the fight, Usman blasted a double-leg takedown against the fence and secured it immediately. The former champion roughed up Buckley from top position for the remainder of Round 1, establishing complete dominance.
"The Nigerian Nightmare" grounded his hard-charging foe for nearly the entirety of the opening frame, drowning Buckley in a sea of top control and ground-and-pound - the same game plan where Colby Covington failed. Usman's veteran savvy proved decisive in neutralizing Buckley's knockout power.
Rounds 2 and 3 followed the same blueprint. Usman deposited the explosive hopeful on the mat and kept him there, grinding out the clock while chipping away with short shots and occasional heavy elbows. Buckley struggled to find answers for Usman's timing and wrestling superiority.
The cageside commentary noted them talking to each other during exchanges. "Are you hitting me?" Buckley appeared to ask at one point as Usman landed elbows from guard. The former champion transitioned into half guard repeatedly, hammering away with strikes.
As the fight shifted to championship rounds, Buckley tried keeping things standing and finding opportunities to land. However, Usman stayed out of harm's way and timed his shots expertly, putting Buckley on the ground with relative ease in Round 4.
Round 5 saw Buckley gradually acclimate to Usman's game, finding pockets of success on the feet. The St. Louis fighter repeatedly stung the former champ with hard, looping punches in several sequences, creating his most competitive round. However, it proved too little, too late.
Final scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 - all for Usman. The decisive victory ended Buckley's six-fight winning streak and announced Usman's return to title contention.
Fighting back tears post-fight, Usman acknowledged the difficult journey: "You all must've forgot," he said, echoing Roy Jones Jr.'s famous words. The emotional champion called for a shot at his old welterweight belt, now held by Jack Della Maddalena.
Usman improved to 21-4, earning a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus alongside his $300,000 purse (no win bonus). Buckley dropped to 21-7, collecting $150,000 plus his share of the bonus.
The victory positioned Usman back among welterweight's elite, though the next title shot likely belongs to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev seeking double-champ status. Usman may need another fight against someone like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Belal Muhammad, or Sean Brady before challenging for gold again.
Rose Namajunas vs Miranda Maverick - Co-Main Event (Women's Flyweight)
Rose Namajunas (United States - Colorado) def. Miranda Maverick (United States) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Former two-time strawweight champion Rose "Thug Rose" Namajunas returned to the win column with a hard-fought unanimous decision over rising contender Miranda Maverick. The victory kept Namajunas's flyweight title aspirations alive after a mixed run at 125 pounds.
Namajunas, fighting out of Colorado, entered ranked No. 7 at flyweight with equal wins and losses in the division. The Atlanta matchup potentially represented her last chance to step into title contention at 125 pounds after moving up from strawweight where she captured gold twice.
Maverick, ranked No. 11 and representing another dangerous young contender, hoped to derail the former champion's momentum and stake her own claim to title opportunities.
The women's flyweight bout delivered three competitive rounds with back-and-forth action. Namajunas utilized her technical striking and veteran experience to control key exchanges, while Maverick's toughness and aggression kept things interesting throughout.
All three judges scored the bout for Namajunas, with two judges seeing it 30-27 and one scoring it closer at 29-28. The unanimous decision improved "Thug Rose" to 14-7 while Maverick dropped to 15-6.
The much-needed victory positioned Namajunas for potential title eliminator opportunities at flyweight. Her $500,000 purse (including $250,000 win bonus) made her the highest-paid fighter on the card, while Maverick collected $125,000.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski - Middleweight
Edmen Shahbazyan (United States - Glendale, CA) def. Andre Petroski (United States) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Armenian-American middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan turned in a quality effort, defeating Andre Petroski via decisive unanimous decision in their middleweight clash. The victory continued Shahbazyan's momentum and positioned him for opportunities against ranked opponents.
Shahbazyan, training out of Glendale, California's Glendale Fighting Club under Edmond Tarverdyan, brought his improved striking game. The 27-year-old hoped to shine in front of his home state crowd and build on recent performances.
Petroski entered looking to derail the prospect's momentum. However, Shahbazyan's technical striking and improved fight IQ proved decisive across fifteen minutes.
All three judges scored the bout decisively for Shahbazyan - 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. The shutout on two scorecards reflected his complete performance. Shahbazyan earned $186,000 ($93,000 show, $93,000 win) while Petroski collected $100,000.
Raoni Barcelos vs Cody Garbrandt - Bantamweight
Raoni Barcelos (Brazil) def. Cody Garbrandt (United States) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brazilian veteran Raoni Barcelos out-worked former bantamweight champion Cody "No Love" Garbrandt in a closely-contested three-round battle. The narrow decision continued Garbrandt's struggles to recapture his former championship form.
Barcelos brought well-rounded skills and consistent pressure against the explosive former champion. The Brazilian's work rate and technical approach proved decisive in the tight affair.
Garbrandt, seeking to reestablish himself as a contender, showed moments of brilliance but couldn't maintain the output necessary to win rounds. His championship pedigree kept the fight competitive throughout.
All three judges scored it identically 29-28 for Barcelos, reflecting how close yet clear the victory was. The Brazilian earned $102,000 ($51,000 show, $51,000 win) while Garbrandt collected a substantial $275,000 purse despite the loss.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Cody Brundage - Middleweight
Mansur Abdul-Malik (United States) def. Cody Brundage (United States) via technical decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Recent Dana White's Contender Series graduate Mansur Abdul-Malik scored a technical decision victory over Cody Brundage after an accidental clash of heads rendered Brundage unable to continue. The bout showcased Abdul-Malik's potential despite the unfortunate ending.
The middleweight clash ended due to an accidental head clash that cut Brundage and prevented him from continuing. With sufficient rounds completed, judges rendered their scorecards favoring Abdul-Malik across the board.
Originally scored as a technical decision, Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission regulations prohibit scoring incomplete rounds, so the final scorecards read 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 for Abdul-Malik.
The young prospect earned $28,000 ($14,000 show, $14,000 win) while Brundage collected $65,000 in his losing effort.
Alonzo Menifield vs Oumar Sy - Light Heavyweight (Main Card Opener)
Alonzo Menifield (United States) def. Oumar Sy (France) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight veteran Alonzo Menifield kicked off the main card by bouncing undefeated French prospect Oumar Sy from the ranks of the unbeaten. The unanimous decision victory demonstrated Menifield's veteran savvy.
The bout was originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady in March but Sy withdrew due to injury. The rescheduling to Atlanta allowed the matchup to finally materialize.
Menifield utilized his experience and power to edge out Sy across three competitive rounds. All three judges scored it 29-28, reflecting the closely-contested nature.
The victory earned Menifield a substantial $250,000 ($125,000 show, $125,000 win) while the debuting Sy collected just $26,000.
UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley Preliminary Card Results
Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato - Light Heavyweight (Prelim Headliner)
Paul Craig (Scotland) vs Rodolfo Bellato (Brazil) - No Contest (illegal upkick) at 4:58 of Round 1
In a controversial and chaotic preliminary card headliner, Scottish veteran Paul "Bearjew" Craig's bout with Brazilian Rodolfo Bellato ended in a no contest after Craig landed an illegal upkick on the grounded Bellato seconds before the first round expired.
The bout was originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Burns vs Morales one month prior but cancelled when Bellato developed a herpes infection. The rescheduling to Atlanta created anticipation for the light heavyweight clash.
Late in Round 1, with Bellato on the ground, Craig delivered an upkick believing his opponent was standing. However, Bellato remained a downed opponent under unified rules. The strike landed flush, and Bellato indicated he couldn't continue.
Referee Lukasz Bosacki ruled the bout a no contest at 4:58 of Round 1. Controversy erupted post-fight as Craig and fans accused Bellato of faking the severity of the impact. Craig offered his thoughts on the matter, suggesting the Brazilian exaggerated his condition.
Craig earned $125,000 while Bellato collected $12,000 despite the no contest ruling.
Michael Chiesa vs Court McGee - Welterweight
Michael Chiesa (United States - Spokane, WA) def. Court McGee (United States) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Veterans Michael Chiesa and Court McGee went the full distance in a competitive welterweight battle. Chiesa's grappling and cage craft proved decisive in earning the unanimous decision.
Both fighters brought extensive UFC experience to the Octagon. Chiesa, from Spokane, Washington, utilized his Maverick MMA training to control the action across fifteen minutes.
All three judges favored Chiesa with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. The veteran earned $300,000 ($150,000 show, $150,000 win) while McGee collected $83,000.
Malcolm Wellmaker vs Kris Moutinho - Bantamweight
Malcolm Wellmaker (United States - Augusta, GA) def. Kris Moutinho (United States) via KO (right hook) at 2:37 of Round 1
UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley's most spectacular finish, hometown hero Malcolm "The Machine" Wellmaker blew the roof off State Farm Arena with a devastating walk-off knockout of Kris Moutinho. The Georgia native's right hook created an unforgettable moment just two hours from his Augusta home.
Wellmaker, training at Faglier's MMA Gym in Augusta, entered as the biggest betting favorite in UFC history. The Dana White's Contender Series graduate brought a perfect knockout streak into the bout.
The bantamweight clash ended abruptly when Wellmaker landed a picture-perfect right hook that caused Moutinho to face-plant into the canvas at 2:37 of Round 1. The brutal finish marked Wellmaker's third consecutive first-round knockout and second consecutive $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Post-fight, the soft-spoken Wellmaker celebrated with family at an Airbnb with pizza and breadsticks. The $50,000 bonus plus his $24,000 purse ($12,000 show, $12,000 win) allowed him to walk away from his full-time construction job.
Wellmaker credited his coaches for creating the perfect punch combination, which he practiced right before his walkout. With two spectacular UFC finishes and newfound financial security, his story became one of the bantamweight division's most intriguing.
Jose Ochoa vs Cody Durden - Flyweight
Jose Ochoa (Peru/Mexico) def. Cody Durden (United States) via KO (uppercut) at 0:11 of Round 2
Peruvian prospect Jose Ochoa bounced back from a disappointing UFC debut with a spectacular second-round knockout of veteran Cody Durden. The devastating finish earned Ochoa a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Ochoa collected his first UFC victory in emphatic fashion. Just 11 seconds into Round 2, he turned up the heat and blasted Durden with a devastating uppercut that ended the contest immediately.
The spectacular knockout demonstrated Ochoa's dangerous power and ability to overcome adversity. His $20,000 purse ($10,000 show, $10,000 win) plus the $50,000 bonus provided significant earnings for the young flyweight.
Durden collected $63,000 in the losing effort, ending his night with a brutal knockout loss.
Ricky Simon vs Cameron Smotherman - Bantamweight
Ricky Simon (United States) def. Cameron Smotherman (United States) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Bantamweight veteran Ricky Simon defeated short-notice replacement Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision. Simon was originally scheduled to face Charles Jourdain, who withdrew during fight week due to an eye injury.
Simon's well-rounded skills and experience proved too much for the late replacement. All three judges scored the bout decisively for Simon - 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
The victory earned Simon $166,000 ($83,000 show, $83,000 win) while Smotherman collected $14,000 for taking the short-notice opportunity.
Phil Rowe vs Ange Loosa - Welterweight
Phil Rowe (United States) def. Ange Loosa (France) via TKO (strikes) at 4:03 of Round 3
American welterweight Phil Rowe rallied to defeat French fighter Ange Loosa with a third-round TKO finish. The come-from-behind victory demonstrated Rowe's toughness and finishing ability.
Rowe overcame early adversity to turn the tide late in the fight. At 4:03 of Round 3, he unleashed a finishing combination that overwhelmed Loosa and forced the referee to intervene.
The stoppage victory earned Rowe $110,000 ($55,000 show, $55,000 win) while Loosa collected $30,000.
UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley Early Prelims Results
Jamey-Lyn Horth vs Vanessa Demopoulos - Women's Flyweight (Card Opener)
Jamey-Lyn Horth (Canada - British Columbia) def. Vanessa Demopoulos (United States) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
British Columbia native Jamey-Lyn Horth opened UFC Atlanta with her most complete and impressive Octagon performance, dominating short-notice replacement Vanessa Demopoulos via shutout unanimous decision.
Horth was originally scheduled to face Tereza Bledá, who withdrew due to a staph infection. Demopoulos jumped up from strawweight on short notice to save the bout.
The Canadian took full advantage of Demopoulos moving up a division, pressuring forward with confidence while battering her American counterpart. Horth's striking and cage craft overwhelmed the smaller fighter across all three rounds.
All three judges scored it 30-27 for Horth, giving her the clean sweep. The Canadian earned $50,000 ($25,000 show, $25,000 win) while Demopoulos collected $65,000 despite jumping up in weight on short notice.
Notable UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley Information
Performance Bonuses
UFC Atlanta awarded four $50,000 bonuses recognizing outstanding performances:
Fight of the Night: Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley earned the honor for their five-round main event battle. While Usman dominated with wrestling, Buckley made things interesting down the stretch with his spirited comeback effort.
Performance of the Night: Malcolm Wellmaker earned his second consecutive bonus for the devastating first-round knockout of Kris Moutinho. The hometown walk-off finish created an unforgettable moment.
Performance of the Night: Jose Ochoa collected his bonus for the spectacular 11-second second-round knockout of Cody Durden, bouncing back from his debut loss in emphatic fashion.
Fighter Payouts
The Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission disclosed fighter purses revealing interesting compensation details:
Rose Namajunas topped the card at $500,000 ($250,000 show, $250,000 win), making her the highest-paid fighter of the night.
Kamaru Usman earned $300,000 (no win bonus) plus his $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus.
Other notable payouts included Michael Chiesa ($300,000 with win bonus), Cody Garbrandt ($275,000 in losing effort), and Alonzo Menifield ($250,000 with win bonus).
Malcolm Wellmaker earned just $24,000 ($12,000 show, $12,000 win) despite his spectacular finish, though his $50,000 bonus significantly boosted earnings.
No Weight Misses
All fighters successfully made weight for their respective bouts. Mansur Abdul-Malik was the last to weigh in for his middleweight clash with Cody Brundage, but hit the mark at 186 pounds.
Emotional Return for Usman
Kamaru Usman's victory carried enormous emotional weight after his 20-month layoff and three-fight losing streak. Fighting back tears post-fight, the former champion acknowledged how difficult the past few years had been.
Usman held the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot during his championship reign from 2019-2021, securing five title defenses and a record-setting 15 consecutive welterweight victories. His historic reign ended with Leon Edwards's legendary comeback, followed by additional setbacks.
The Atlanta victory proved Usman remains elite despite the lengthy absence and suggested a final title run remains possible for "The Nigerian Nightmare."
Controversy and Accusations
The Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato no contest sparked controversy. Craig and fans accused Bellato of exaggerating the impact of the illegal upkick, suggesting he faked being unable to continue.
Post-fight, Craig offered pointed comments about the incident, creating a narrative that may lead to a rematch if the promotion deems it necessary.
Malcolm Wellmaker's Journey
The Georgia native's story captivated audiences. Training at Faglier's MMA Gym in Augusta, Wellmaker worked full-time construction before his UFC breakthrough.
His coaches designed the perfect right hook combination, which he practiced immediately before his walkout. The spectacular knockout allowed him to leave construction work behind and focus on fighting full-time.
Wellmaker's celebration reflected his grounded personality - no drinking or partying, just pizza with family. His plans for the $50,000 bonus included paying his management team and having "some fun" after being responsible with his first bonus.
Return to Atlanta
UFC Atlanta marked the promotion's first visit since UFC 236 in April 2019. State Farm Arena's passionate crowd created an electric atmosphere, particularly for hometown hero Wellmaker's knockout.
The successful event demonstrated Atlanta's viability as a UFC destination and potential for future cards in Georgia's capital.
Event Analysis and Takeaways
UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley delivered a memorable night highlighted by one of 2025's most emotionally significant victories. Kamaru Usman's dominant wrestling performance over Joaquin Buckley proved "The Nigerian Nightmare" remains among welterweight's elite despite his lengthy absence and recent struggles.
Usman's ability to neutralize Buckley's knockout power where Colby Covington failed demonstrated the gulf between championship-level wrestling and contender-level opponents. The former champion's timing, top control, and ground-and-pound remained as effective as during his title reign, suggesting his physical skills haven't diminished.
For Buckley, the reality of facing elite-level wrestling provided a harsh lesson. His six-fight winning streak ended against an opponent who implemented a game plan Buckley couldn't solve. The St. Louis striker's late success in Round 5 showed improved durability but proved too little, too late.
Rose Namajunas's victory over Miranda Maverick kept her flyweight title aspirations alive. The former strawweight champion's ability to defeat rising contenders at 125 pounds suggests she remains a threat to champion Valentina Shevchenko despite mixed results in the division.
Malcolm Wellmaker emerged as UFC Atlanta's breakout star. The hometown hero's devastating knockout created an unforgettable moment while his humble personality and backstory resonated with fans. Training at Faglier's MMA Gym in Augusta and working construction before his UFC breakthrough, Wellmaker represents the blue-collar fighter whose dream came true.
His post-fight celebration - pizza with family instead of partying - and plans to be "responsible" with his bonuses while having "some fun" showcased his character. The biggest betting favorite in UFC history delivered on expectations while capturing hearts with his story.
Jose Ochoa's 11-second knockout demonstrated why the Peruvian prospect deserves attention. Bouncing back from a debut loss with spectacular violence suggested a bright future at flyweight.
The Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato controversy created unfortunate drama. Accusations of exaggeration and faking injury overshadowed what should have been a competitive light heavyweight bout. The incident may require UFC intervention through a rematch or alternative booking.
Cody Garbrandt's narrow loss to Raoni Barcelos continued the former champion's struggles to recapture his 2016-2017 form. At 33 years old, questions arise about Garbrandt's future as a bantamweight contender.
The disclosed fighter pay revealed significant disparities. Rose Namajunas topping the card at $500,000 while Malcolm Wellmaker earned just $24,000 (before bonus) highlighted the vast differences in UFC compensation structures. Wellmaker's spectacular knockout earning the same $50,000 bonus as the main event participants demonstrated the promotion's attempt to reward performance regardless of contract status.
Conclusion
UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs Buckley successfully returned the promotion to Atlanta with an emotionally charged main event that proved Kamaru Usman remains among welterweight's elite. "The Nigerian Nightmare's" vintage wrestling performance dominated Joaquin Buckley over five rounds, ending a 20-month layoff and three-fight losing streak with a decisive unanimous decision victory.
Fighting back tears post-fight, Usman acknowledged the difficult journey and called for a shot at reclaiming his welterweight championship. While Islam Makhachev likely holds the next title shot, Usman's performance announced his return to title contention and suggested one final championship run remains possible.
Rose Namajunas defeated Miranda Maverick in the co-main event, keeping her flyweight title aspirations alive with a unanimous decision. The former strawweight champion's ability to defeat rising contenders at 125 pounds positioned her for potential eliminator opportunities.
The true star of UFC Atlanta was hometown hero Malcolm Wellmaker. The Georgia native's devastating first-round knockout of Kris Moutinho created the evening's most memorable moment while his humble backstory - working construction at Faglier's MMA Gym in Augusta before his UFC breakthrough - resonated with fans. His $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus allowed him to leave construction behind and pursue fighting full-time.
Jose Ochoa's 11-second knockout and $50,000 bonus provided another spectacular finish, while the Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato no contest created unfortunate controversy with accusations of exaggeration.
As Usman positioned himself for another title run and Wellmaker emerged as bantamweight's newest star, UFC Atlanta delivered emotional moments, spectacular finishes, and compelling storylines that will resonate throughout 2025. The successful return to Georgia's capital demonstrated Atlanta's viability as a UFC destination and set the stage for future events in the Peach State.
Other UFC Events:
- UFC on ABC 8 Hill vs Rountree Jr.
- UFC 316 Dvalishvili vs O'Malley 2
- UFC on ESPN 68 Gamrot vs Klein
- Upcoming UFC Events Schedule