Usman And Buckley Collide In Atlanta, Fiziev Faces Bahamondes In Baku

The primary occasion represents Usman’s first battle since October 2023 when he stepped up on short-notice to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. A middleweight bout, Usman fought valiantly however in the end dropped the bulk choice, his third loss in a row. As he returns to his former kingdom at 170 kilos, he faces a younger, hungry and red-hot Buckley, who rides into Georgia on a 6-fight successful streak. The 30-year-old Buckley picked up 4 wins in 2024 alone, together with stoppage victories over Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. With the belt going up for grabs on Could 10 at UFC 315: Muhammad vs Della Maddalena, both man may place himself effectively for a crack at gold later in 2025. 

Namajunas readies to make her first stroll of 2025 hoping to bounce again from a choice loss to Erin Blanchfield in November 2024. Earlier to that consequence, “Thug” was making headway within the flyweight division, capturing foremost occasion victories over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez. The 32-year-old 2-time strawweight champion nonetheless has aspirations of capturing a second belt however should flip away the streaking Maverick. The 27-year-old comes into the bout having gained her final 4 bouts, together with three wins in 2024, and she or he seems to be on the precipice of her prime after getting into the promotion as a 22-year-old in October 2020. 

White additionally make clear UFC’s June 22 occasion in Baku. With the postponed foremost occasion between former gentle heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. slated within the high spot, light-weight putting savants Rafael Fiziev and Ignacio Bahamondes will function the co-main occasion. 

Fiziev, who represents Azerbaijan, seeks his first win since July 2022. The Muay Thai specialist rode a 6-fight successful streak to the highest of the light-weight division till shedding a majority choice to Justin Gaaethje at UFC 286. A significant knee damage suffered in opposition to Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023 saved him out of motion for the subsequent 18 months. In a shocking flip of occasions, he stepped in to interchange Dan Hooker at UFC 313 and confronted Gaethje for a second time, as soon as once more falling to “The Highlight” on the scorecards. 

At 32 years outdated, Fiziev is now tasked with cementing his place within the top-15 in opposition to the streaking Bahamondes. “La Jaula” is in the most effective type of his younger profession, stringing collectively three consecutive first-round stoppages. The 27-year-old Chilean has now gained six of his eight Octagon appearances after incomes his contract on Dana White’s Contender Collection, and, after submitting Jalin Turner at UFC 313, hopes to interrupt into the top-15 for the primary time in his profession.  

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