Following last weekend’s blockbuster UFC 316 event, the UFC roadshow heads from New Jersey to Atlanta for another exciting card, packed with thrilling matchups and featuring three former UFC champions.
Let’s take a look at some of the main card action going down this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 69, live from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) makes his first Octagon appearance since October 2023 as he faces surging contender Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC).
Usman enters the bout looking to snap a three-fight skid, having not tasted victory since 2021. Meanwhile, Buckley has thrived since dropping to welterweight two years ago, compiling a perfect 6-0 record. “New Mansa” scored third-round stoppage wins over former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington in his last two outings and aims to add “The Nigerian Nightmare” to his growing list of high-profile victories.
Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick (Flyweight)
Former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) continues her journey in the flyweight division as she takes on Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) in the co-main event.
Since moving up to 125 pounds after losing her strawweight title to Carla Esparza in 2022, “Thug Rose” has struggled for consistency, going 2-2 in her new weight class. She last competed in November, where she dropped a five-round decision, and now looks to regain momentum against Maverick, who is ranked No. 11—five spots below Namajunas.
Maverick enters the fight on a four-fight win streak but has yet to face a former champion or an opponent with Namajunas’s level of experience and notoriety.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Xtreme Couture’s Edmen Shahbazyan (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) looks to build on his first-round knockout win over Dylan Budka in February as he takes on Pennsylvania’s Andre Petroski (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) on Saturday’s main card.
Shahbazyan started his UFC career with four straight victories but has been inconsistent since, including a three-fight losing streak in 2021. Now 27 years old, "The Golden Boy" still has time to fulfill his considerable potential—but he’ll face a tough challenge in Petroski, who enters the bout riding a three-fight win streak.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight)
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) returns to action for the first time since his submission loss to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300. He’ll face dangerous Brazilian veteran Raoni Barcelos (19-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who halted the momentum of rising prospect Payton Talbott in his most recent outing.
Prior to his setback against Figueiredo, Garbrandt had pieced together back-to-back wins for the first time since his title run in 2016. He’ll look to regain that form and bounce back this weekend.
Cody Brundage vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik (Middleweight)
After sharing the main card spotlight with Bo Nickal at UFC 300 last year, Cody Brundage (11-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) once again finds himself facing a rising, undefeated prospect—this time in the form of Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC).
Abdul-Malik has impressed since joining the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series late last year, earning dominant finishes over Dusko Todorovic and Nick Klein. The Pittsburgh native is quickly emerging as a name to watch in the middleweight division.
