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UFC Atlanta veteran prelim fighters combine for 77 years of age

This one prelim fight jumps off the page as veteran-based and for the OG UFC fan

Zain Bando

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The UFC returns to Atlanta for the first time since April 2019 with a deep Fight Night installment headlined by Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley.

Across the 13-fight card, there are a host of veterans and former champions to keep an eye on. Some are in desperate need of a win, whereas others are attempting to remain in title contention. Without further ado, here are a few noteworthy choices.

Court McGee looks for a signature wi
Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Court McGee (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Tim Means (not pictured) during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Court McGee vs. Michael Chiesa

Court McGee, 40, aims to even his UFC record with a win over fellow veteran Michael Chiesa, 37. McGee has fought some of the top names in the sport, including Sean Brady and Sean Strickland; he even defeated future middleweight champion Robert Whittaker earlier in his career.

McGee's featured fight with Chiesa could be a double-retirement fight.

Chiesa has been a UFC veteran and mainstay of the lighter weight divisions for over a decade. Having comfortably found a home at 170 pounds. For the submission specialist, a win means extending his winning streak to three, for the first time since 2020.

Michael Chiesa seeks resurgence
Dec 7, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Michael Chiesa (red gloves) reacts after defeating Max Griffin (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

READ MORE: 3 knockout threats fighting at UFC Atlanta this weekend

Both men own over two decades of Octagon time, making it a can't-miss for the hardcore UFC fan

Cody Garbrandt is bac
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Cody Garbrandt during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Veteran champion Cody Garbrandt 

The man they call “No Love” is still attempting to capture the magic that made him one of the UFC’s biggest stars a decade ago. Garbrandt faces Raoni Barcelos, a winner of two straight.

Meanwhile, Garbrandt has lost three of his last five despite beating Brian Kelleher in December 2023. Garbrandt last won back-to-back fights in 2016, so if he wants any hope of chasing contention or another crack at a title fight, it has to start now.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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