Joaquin Buckley is looking ahead after securing a decisive victory at UFC 307, where he knocked out former title challenger Stephen Thompson in the third round. The fight, held in Utah, extended Buckley’s flawless record in the welterweight division. Now he’s aiming even higher—specifically at former champion Kamaru Usman.
Following his win, Buckley didn’t hesitate to call out Usman. During the post-fight press conference, he doubled down on his challenge, highlighting his 5-1 record in the division. Buckley believes that defeating Usman would not only solidify his reputation but also put him in line for a title shot.
“(I’m) 5-0 in the welterweight division right now,” Buckley said (via MMA Junkie). “With the run I’m on, beating Usman, a former champion, will cement my name and prove I deserve a title shot.”
Buckley’s Prediction
Usman, who has lost his last three fights, has not competed since his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2022. Despite Usman’s recent struggles, Buckley remains confident in his chances, predicting a knockout victory if they face off.
“I think I can knock out Usman. Immediately—yeah, immediately. Breaking records,” Buckley said.
