Joaquin Buckley believes he should be the next contender for the welterweight title, pushing back against the idea of a potential clash between champion Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev.
“New Mansa” is set to face former divisional king Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Atlanta this Saturday. Buckley is confident that a victory over Usman will position him as the clear number one contender. He boasts an undefeated record in the welterweight division across six fights, including recent impressive wins against Colby Covington and Stephen Thompson.
However, the UFC has reportedly indicated plans for Della Maddalena`s first title defense to be against Islam Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound best fighter who is expected to vacate his lightweight belt to seek a second title.
Despite this, Buckley remains resolute in his demand.
“You already know once we beat Kamaru Usman, it`s title time,” Buckley stated on his `Buck What You Heard` show. “It`s time to go get my belt. There`s no other person that`s been doing what I`ve been doing in the roster… mine`s been unmatched with not just having 15 fights within the promotion within five years, but as well going undefeated in the welterweight division. Also, knocking out every ranked opponent and… might get my fourth knockout of my ranked opponent in Kamaru Usman.”
“You can`t name another guy that`s doing something like that. So once I beat Kamaru Usman, there is no debate, there is no back-and-forth, there is no argument. We up next. You already know we got this guy from 155 coming up thinking he going to take my spot. Nah, we can`t have it. I truly believe that with everything that`s coming, the ‘JDM’ and Islam fight is not a massive fight to make. JDM is the world champion right now, but I truly believe that Islam`s got to sit back and just wait for me to get my title because I will be the hardest fight that Islam has.”
Buckley`s argument for deserving the title shot isn`t solely based on his divisional accomplishments; he also expresses confidence in his ability to defeat Makhachev head-to-head.
“He`s not going to out-wrestle me,” Buckley claimed. “He`s not going to submit me, I`ve never been submitted in my career. And he`s definitely not going to stand on the feet with me. If the people want to see it, it`s going to be made.”
“I already know that the fan base, they know what JDM`s about, they know what he`s good at, what he struggles at. That`s a toss-up for Islam. Don`t get it twisted, if Islam does get blessed with that title shot and he does beat JDM, he`s not going to stay there. He`s going to retire. He`s going to get up out of there quick because he knows he`s not a natural 170 fighter. And especially with myself, he definitely going to run from a person like me. So before that even happens, I`ve got to make sure I get myself to that belt. But you already know, the world ain`t fair, sometimes you don`t get what you deserve. So this is why we`ve got to demand it. We`ve got to go after it and we`ve got to take it.”
Despite his focus on the title picture, Buckley maintains he is not looking past Kamaru Usman, a former long-reigning champion. His respect for Usman leads him to anticipate either a finish that solidifies his contender status or a memorable performance worthy of “Fight of the Night.”
“When I fight Kamaru Usman, there`s only two ways how it`s going to finish,” Buckley stated. “We`re either going to be knocking out Kamaru Usman or this is going to be Fight of the Night. That`s the only two options.”
“I feel like in my heart, Kamaru Usman, him being former world champion, him about to be a future Hall of Famer, I`m already knowing that he`s putting in that type of work. But if he`s not, then he`s definitely getting knocked out come June 14.”
