UFC Atlantic City is looking like a real treat for the fans at this moment! The card itself had a couple of shake-ups in the past few days. First, we got the news that Sean Brady is injured and Joaquin Buckley is stepping in to replace him.
Vicente Luque vs Sean Brady was supposed to be the main event of this Fight Night card, but now, it’s been replaced by a women’s Flyweight title eliminator, between Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot. That fight is now a 5 rounder and Luque vs Buckley is a 3-round co-main event.
Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot has been elevated to the #UFCAtlanticCity main event March 30, per promotion. Five rounds. Big fight in the women's flyweight division.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) February 15, 2024
Looking down at the card, it’s one to enjoy truly, with tons of great talent and good matchmaking on it. Young prospects, well-established fighters, veterans and title contenders – this one has got it all!
New Main Event – Erin Blanchfield vs Manon Fiorot
As it is very likely that the next fight for the women’s 125lbs belt is going to be a rubber match between Alexa Grasso (the current champ) and Valentina Shevchenko, that leaves two of the brightest up-and-comers ready to square off for that number 1 contender spot.
Many fans have been calling for this one to be 5 rounds, as these are truly two of the best women in the division, barring the champ and the most dominant women’s flyweight fighter ever, in Shevchenko. With the original main event having a change of opponents – that wish has now been fulfilled.
Fiorot defeated the former 2-time Strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in her last outing, while “Cold Blooded” ground out a decision against Taila Santos, in her most challenging bout thus far in the UFC.
We got to see both ladies overcome some new challenges in their last outings, and with their tremendous form and winning streaks – this is the one to determine the next challenger for the division’s strap!
UFC Atlantic City: Buckley steps in for Brady, meets Luque
Sean Brady had an impressive performance against Kelvin Gastelum in his last bout, so he was looking at another interesting stylistic matchup to get himself higher on the rankings ladder, with Vicente Luque as his next opponent. Sean Brady revealed on his IG that he’s suffering from a “nagging injury”, as he pulled out of the fight.
Luckily, Joaquin Buckley stepped in, around six weeks out. Since trimming down to welterweight, Buckley has looked great. His athleticism, explosiveness and power look as good as ever, but in a weight class below. He is 2-0 at 170lbs in the UFC right now, with victories over Andre Fialho (via TKO) and Alex Morono via UD, where he implemented some solid wrestling.
Luque is a true veteran in the UFC, with victories over multiple former UFC champions, one of those coming in his last fight, against Rafael Dos Anjos. “The Silent Assassin” has seen it all at the elite level and is a true test for Buckley and anyone that’s having championship aspirations, to see what they are made of. This one is going to be fireworks!
The Atlantic City Card has Many Great Fights and Names
Other than the two bouts headlining this event, there are several more that fans should look out for. Here are some:
Chris Weidman vs Bruno Silva – middleweight. The former champ returns against a dangerous, lights-out puncher Bruno Silva.
Nursulton ‘Black Wolf’ Ruziboev vs Sedriques Dumas – middleweight. The Black Wolf is an interesting character, making quick work of the dangerous finisher Brunno ‘The Hulk’ Ferreira. Standing at 6’5, he is definitely one of the tallest 185lbs fighters you’ll come across. Dumas has been struggling with some legal battles and will have his hands full with the Uzbek.
Pat Sabatini vs Nate Landwehr – featherweight. This one has ‘ENTERTAINING’ written all over it. Two guys that are known to have an amazing pace and action-packed scraps. Watch out for this one.
Virna Jandiroba vs Loopy Godinez – women’s strawweight. #5 ranked against #10 ranked. Lupita Godinez had become the first woman to achieve four victories inside the UFC Octagon in a calendar year. She will look to extend her win streak against a very tricky Brazilian fighter Virna Jandiroba, who is looking to make her claim for a title shot soon.
