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
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.

More MMA Knockout News


Stick with MMAKnockout for more FREE coverage of the UFC, MMA, Boxing. Follow MMAKnockout on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.


Published
Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer & columnist for Gameday Media's MMA Knockout, expanding his portfolio as a Staff Writer for Dallas Wings On SI with previous in-network contributions around the echosystem. Outside of covering fights, Bando's background includes Big Ten football and men's basketball with leans toward Illinois and Northwestern with a broader league view for bylines including The Sporting News, FanSided, Men's Journal and others since 2019. Bando can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or via his social media accounts @zainbando99.

Share on XFollow @zainbando99