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In recent months, Joaquin Buckley (21-6) has become the public enemy number one of the UFC welterweight division. Since dropping down to the division in 2022, he has gone on an unbeaten streak of six consecutive victories - four finishes. Three of his last four opponents have been big names such as Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington, old rockers of the 170 pounds whom he has mercilessly knocked out, and who have allowed him to have the opportunity to face Kamaru Usman (20-4) in the main event of Saturday's Fight Night in Atlanta
Before making the decision to drop down a weight class, 'New Mansa' had suffered several KOs in the middleweight division, where he did not stand out for his size and failed to find his best version. Three years ago he made the decision to cut 10 more pounds, and since then he has not known defeat. After defeating Andre Fialho and Alex Morono, the UFC gave him the opportunity to face his first ranked opponents, and Buckley did not fail.
The first big name in the category he knocked out was Vicente Luque, whom he finished in a very strange way. Later, the UFC matched him against Nursulton Ruziboev, a feared striker whom he did not manage to finish but was able to defeat by unanimous decision. His next victim was Stephen Thompson, one of the fans' favorite fighters, whom he knocked out with a tremendous right hook, and finally he also finished the hated Colby Covington after making a cut that forced the doctor to stop the fight.
After putting together several impressive performances, his next opponent will be one of the best welterweights in history, former champion Kamaru Usman. Despite being out of the octagon for almost two years, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' is still a danger to anyone, and Buckley is clear that if he beats him he will be within touching distance of a title shot
Makhachev in the spotlight
The bad news for the American is that even if he beats Kamaru Usman on this weekend's card, he will have to wait for Jack Della Maddalena - the division's champion - to face Islam Makhachev later in the year. The reigning lightweight champion has decided to vacate his belt and move up to welterweight for the double championship, something that has not gone down well with Buckley. "Islam is not a big threat to welterweight. This is the deepest division you can get into right now," he said in the preview of his fight
Islam Makhachev is not a big threat to the welterweight division
Joaquin believes the division has too many dangerous prospects for Khabib's cousin to make a difference, and has even gone so far as to say that if he beats Usman it is he who should face Della Maddalena. "Not just me, but guys like Garry, Rakhmonov or Brady are very dangerous. Islam is going to have to prove to the world that he is ready for this division," he said