Outlook: Nearly two years since his last fight, Usman makes his return to competition opposite the red-hot Buckley in Atlanta. Many questions are buzzing around the former welterweight king. The main one is: can he, at 38 years old, make another run at the title? After a slow start against Khamzat Chimaev, Usman pushed well in the final round on short notice. If his hunger remains, Usman could have a major, statement-making performance in June against the ever-dangerous Buckley.
Outlook: Makhachev’s name was on the tip of everyone’s tongue following Della Maddalena’s win over Muhammad. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Makhachev’s future on Instagram Live on Tuesday, saying the lightweight champion will be vacating his title to move up and face Della Maddalena at a later date.
Two surging welterweights who seem a win or two away from a title fight are Ian Machado Garry and Joaquin Buckley. Machado Garry weighed in as the backup fighter in Montreal less than a month since handing Carlos Prates his first UFC defeat. It was a good bounce-back effort from the Irishman after losing a five-round bout to Rakhmonov late in 2024. However, one could argue no fighter at 170 pounds is hotter than Buckley. The St. Louis native strung together four wins (including three finishes) in 2024, and his main event win over Colby Covington showed he is very much ready for primetime. That opportunity comes in June against Usman, and if he can take out the former king, he has as good a case for a title shot as anyone in the top 5.
