Get ready, fight fans! The buzz is real, the tension is thick, and UFC on ESPN 69 is locked and loaded for one hell of a showdown. The weigh-ins just wrapped up live from Las Vegas, and MMA Junkie was right there, delivering play-by-play action as fighters stepped up to the scale to make it all official.
And yes—it’s go-time for former welterweight king Kamaru Usman and the always-dangerous Joaquin Buckley. Both fighters tipped the scales at a solid 171 pounds, locking in their blockbuster main event bout that fans have been hyped about for weeks. Let’s be honest—when Usman’s involved, the stakes are never low. But with Buckley stepping in with knockout power and a chip on his shoulder, this one has main-event fireworks written all over it.
But wait, that’s not all! The co-main feature is bringing the heat, too. We’ve got former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas squaring off with rising flyweight contender Miranda Maverick. Both fighters came in right on the money at 126 pounds. If you’re looking for tactical brilliance mixed with fierce grit, this matchup is going to deliver all that and more. Namajunas is known for her silky-smooth footwork and fight IQ, but Maverick is a storm waiting to explode.
Here’s how the Main Card (airing on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET) stacks up after weigh-ins:
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Kamaru Usman (171 lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (171 lbs)
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Miranda Maverick (126 lbs) vs. Rose Namajunas (126 lbs)
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Andre Petroski (186 lbs) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (185 lbs)
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Raoni Barcelos (136 lbs) vs. Cody Garbrandt (136 lbs)
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Mansur Abdul-Malik (awaiting weight confirmation) vs. Cody Brundage (185 lbs)
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Alonzo Menifield (206 lbs) vs. Oumar Sy (206 lbs)
That’s a card with serious bangers from top to bottom. Petroski vs. Shahbazyan is a sneaky good matchup between two middleweights who love to scrap. Shahbazyan’s been looking to bounce back in a big way, and Petroski’s wrestling might just be the key to derail that plan. Meanwhile, Barcelos and Garbrandt promises wild exchanges—don’t blink, you might miss a KO.
As for Abdul-Malik, we’re still waiting on the official weight confirmation, but all signs point to the fight being on. And then there’s Menifield and Sy—two light heavyweights ready to throw leather. Menifield’s power is unreal, but Sy’s technical game is seriously underrated.
Let’s not overlook the Prelims (airing on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET), which are honestly stacked like a Fight Night headliner in their own right. Here’s how the weigh-in results broke down:
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Rodolfo Bellato (205.5 lbs) vs. Paul Craig (206 lbs)
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Michael Chiesa (171 lbs) vs. Court McGee (170 lbs)
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Kris Moutinho (136 lbs) vs. Malcolm Wellmaker (136 lbs)
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Cody Durden (126 lbs) vs. Jose Ochoa (125 lbs)
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Ricky Simon (136 lbs) vs. Cameron Smotherman (136 lbs)
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Ange Loosa (171 lbs) vs. Phil Rowe (171 lbs)
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Vanessa Demopoulos (126 lbs) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (126 lbs)
The prelims offer a blend of veterans, rising stars, and potential Fight of the Night contenders. Paul Craig, the Scottish submission wizard, taking on Bellato? That’s a must-watch clash of ground game vs. grit. And seeing Michael Chiesa back in the Octagon facing the tough-as-nails Court McGee? That’s a grinder’s delight.
Another fun matchup to keep tabs on: Kris Moutinho, who gained fame for his insane durability against Sean O’Malley, returns to face Malcolm Wellmaker, a name that’s gaining steam. Durden vs. Ochoa also looks spicy—expect fast transitions and possible slick subs at flyweight.
Exciting elements you don’t wanna miss:
🔹 Usman’s return to welterweight supremacy—can he silence the doubters and mount another run?
🔹 Joaquin Buckley’s KO power—blink and it’s over.
🔹 Rose’s mental game vs. Maverick’s pressure—a fascinating chess match with serious title implications.
🔹 Cody Garbrandt looking to prove he’s still got “it” against a tough Barcelos.
🔹 Young bloods and comeback stories all over the prelims—Chiesa, Simon, Demopoulos, and more.
For fans tuning in from the West Coast, weigh-ins started bright and early at 6 a.m. PT, with the East Coast catching the action at 9 a.m. ET. Fighters handled the pressure like pros, with nearly everyone making weight cleanly. A few tense moments passed without drama, and no last-minute shakeups were reported.
What makes this fight night even more special is the stylistic diversity across the card. From knockout artists to submission specialists, brawlers to technicians, UFC on ESPN 69 is checking all the boxes. Whether you're a hardcore fan or just dipping into MMA for the first time, this is a perfect event to catch the fever.
And don’t forget—the fights aren’t just about rankings and records. These are stories in motion, with fighters battling setbacks, chasing redemption, and leaving it all in the cage for a shot at glory.
Final Thoughts:
UFC on ESPN 69 is shaping up to be one of those sleeper cards that ends up blowing the roof off the MMA world. Kamaru Usman’s return is must-see TV, Joaquin Buckley’s highlight reel is always on standby, and Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick could quietly become one of the best women’s flyweight bouts of the year.
Set your reminders, load up your favorite snacks, and buckle up—because when that Octagon door closes Saturday night, anything can happen. And something tells us… something wild will.
Stay tuned, fight fans. This one’s gonna be legendary. 🥊🔥
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