Rivalries: Joaquin Buckley

It would take nothing less than an iconic moment for a fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to reserve an immutable berth in the roundup of standout moments in the organization’s rich history. Joaquin Buckley did just that with a spinning back kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay. That victory went on to win the knockout of the month in October 2020 and the knockout of the year, undeniably occupying a shining spot among the best of the best. Since then, “New Mansa” has managed to accumulate a muddled record. However, the decision to return to the 170-pound bracket in 2023 yielded positive results for him, and he has gained ground in the division with a three-fight win streak. Buckley crashed the UFC 300 press conference and grabbed the mic to shoot his shot to demand a main event slot at the upcoming UFC on ESPN 56 card. His wish has been partly granted as Buckley gears up to take on Nursulton Ruziboev on May 11 at the Enterprise Center, in St. Louis, Missouri. Ahead of the clash, let’s take a look at some of the rivalries that have shaped his journey so far.

Kevin Holland

Buckley was welcomed into the organization tackling the challenge of Kevin Holland. He opted against a touch of gloves to start the fight which set the tone for a competitive encounter. Holland managed to score a takedown only for Buckley to return fire with a right hook when they got back to their feet. It took some time for both the combatants to settle into the bout, but when they did, it was Buckley who loaded every strike with vicious malice while Holland was content with volume striking. With over a minute left on the clock in the first frame, Holland caught Buckley with a right cross that dropped the St. Louis native. The second round advanced similarly, with Buckley radically forceful on offense while Holland calmly picked his shots. Just as the pace picked up in the third frame, Holland stupefied Buckley with a laser-like right hand that prompted referee Mark Smith to step in immediately. The official time of the finish was 0:32 of Round 3.

Jordan Wright

Wright was an undefeated prospect, carrying a then-unblemished 11-0 record (1 NC) before crossing paths with Buckley. He imposed aggression on Wright from the opening bell, nearly securing the finish in the final moments of the first frame. However, Wright’s fortitude prevailed, partly the reason why he survived to see the second round. Subsequently, “New Mansa” hit the mark with heavy blows in the opening moments of the second round to stop Wright in a mere 18 seconds. With that, he improved his UFC record to 2-1 and demolished his opponent’s unbeaten record.

Chris Curtis

Curtis and Buckley engaged in a fiery exchange at the UFC 282 ceremonial weigh-ins that dictated the temperament for both fighters before suiting up for the impending clash. “The Action Man” was trailing behind owing to Buckley’s dynamic striking. Somewhere midway into the second round, he found a home for a sharp left hand down the pipe that put Buckley on the deck. He followed up with a barrage of punches, leading the fight to be waved off at the 2:49 mark of the second round. That was Buckley’s second consecutive loss, which prompted the decision to drop down to the welterweight division.

Vicente Luque

The battle of explosive welterweights served as the co-main event fixture of UFC on ESPN 54. In the opening round, both fighters hunted for strategic openings. Buckley opted to fight outside range, blitzing with strikes to dart in and penetrate Luque’s nimble stance occupying the center of the Octagon. It remained an evenly matched round and “New Mansa” boosted the vigor in the following round. He initiated a series of flying attacks, landing a well-placed knee, but it was the flurry of punches that ensued which staggered Luque. The Brazilian decided to take matters to the canvas. However, Buckley, wise to Luque’s advances, reversed the position to unleash punishing ground strikes. He pounded out the finish at the 3:17 mark of the third frame and walked away with one of the biggest wins of his career.