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Winning streak hits five
Buckley defeated Stephen Thompson via KO (punches) at 2:17 of Round 3 at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
If there was ever a fight up for grabs with a few minutes left, it was this one. Buckley wisely decided to take the judges out of the equation. Joaquin struggled for a good portion of the bout. He was constantly attempting to chase Thompson down on the feet, which is a recipe for disaster against a striker as slick as Wonderboy. He did land four takedowns on seven attempts, but struggled to do damage on the ground. The finish came when one sweeping right hand landed flush and put Thompson away in an instant, and the end result was both a victory and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Buckley was left for dead following back-to-back defeats to Nassourdine Imavov and Chris Curtis in late-2022, but has since rebounded with five straight wins, including three via knockout. He called out Kamaru Usman in his post-fight interview. Sounds like a good idea.
If there was ever a fight up for grabs with a few minutes left, it was this one. Buckley wisely decided to take the judges out of the equation. Joaquin struggled for a good portion of the bout. He was constantly attempting to chase Thompson down on the feet, which is a recipe for disaster against a striker as slick as Wonderboy. He did land four takedowns on seven attempts, but struggled to do damage on the ground. The finish came when one sweeping right hand landed flush and put Thompson away in an instant, and the end result was both a victory and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Buckley was left for dead following back-to-back defeats to Nassourdine Imavov and Chris Curtis in late-2022, but has since rebounded with five straight wins, including three via knockout. He called out Kamaru Usman in his post-fight interview. Sounds like a good idea.
Set to fight Thompson
Buckley will face Stephen Thompson in a welterweight showdown at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Buckley will look to make it five straight victories with a win over Thompson. He most recently disposed of Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision back in May. His opponent Thompson, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after falling to Shavkat Rakhmonov via Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in September.
Buckley will look to make it five straight victories with a win over Thompson. He most recently disposed of Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision back in May. His opponent Thompson, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after falling to Shavkat Rakhmonov via Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in September.
Strong effort in native St. Louis
Buckley defeated Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in St. Louis.
ANALYSIS
Buckley certainly would have preferred a stoppage win in his hometown of St. Louis, but he put forth a complete 15-minute performance against a dangerous opponent. Knowing full well how dangerous Ruziboev's power is, Buckley made a point to work behind his wrestling. All landed all four of his takedown attempts over the course of the first two rounds. The most important part of that was the fact all the grappling drained Ruziboev's gas tank, allowing Buckley to essentially cruise to the decision. Still just 30 years of age, Joaquin is in the process of his best run to date winning four straight dating back to May 2023.
Buckley certainly would have preferred a stoppage win in his hometown of St. Louis, but he put forth a complete 15-minute performance against a dangerous opponent. Knowing full well how dangerous Ruziboev's power is, Buckley made a point to work behind his wrestling. All landed all four of his takedown attempts over the course of the first two rounds. The most important part of that was the fact all the grappling drained Ruziboev's gas tank, allowing Buckley to essentially cruise to the decision. Still just 30 years of age, Joaquin is in the process of his best run to date winning four straight dating back to May 2023.
Given hometown fight
Buckley is scheduled to compete against Nursulton Ruziboev in a welterweight fight at UFC St. Louis on May 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Even though Buckley defeated Vicente Luque less than one month ago, it appears he wanted in at St. Louis, his hometown. Buckley fighting in St. Louis will happen, though that required Ruziboev to drop a weight class. Buckley is on a three-fight win streak, while Ruziboev has won back-to-back bouts since signing with the UFC back in June.
Even though Buckley defeated Vicente Luque less than one month ago, it appears he wanted in at St. Louis, his hometown. Buckley fighting in St. Louis will happen, though that required Ruziboev to drop a weight class. Buckley is on a three-fight win streak, while Ruziboev has won back-to-back bouts since signing with the UFC back in June.
Rolls past Vicente Luque
Buckley defeated Vicente Luque via TKO (punches) at 3:17 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlantic City.
ANALYSIS
The total incompetence of Luque certainly had something to do with it, but this was arguably Buckley's most impressive victory to date, and it's his third in a row dating back to May 2023. Buckley kept things simple, didn't expend a ton of energy and was able to win virtually every single striking exchange with his seemingly disinterested opponent. He was gifted the finish when Luque went for a takedown, decided to pull guard instead and ended up getting mounted. Still just 29 years of age, there are cardio concerns regarding Buckley, and he doesn't offer much if his power shots aren't landing, but he's most definitely improving inside the Octagon.
The total incompetence of Luque certainly had something to do with it, but this was arguably Buckley's most impressive victory to date, and it's his third in a row dating back to May 2023. Buckley kept things simple, didn't expend a ton of energy and was able to win virtually every single striking exchange with his seemingly disinterested opponent. He was gifted the finish when Luque went for a takedown, decided to pull guard instead and ended up getting mounted. Still just 29 years of age, there are cardio concerns regarding Buckley, and he doesn't offer much if his power shots aren't landing, but he's most definitely improving inside the Octagon.