“I hate this sport” – Heartbreak for fans as Stephen Thompson gets BRUTALLY knocked out by Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307

UFC 307 results: Welterweight Joaquin Buckley crumples Stephen Thompson with leaping punch KO at pay-per-view prelims.

“I hate this sport” – Heartbreak for fans as Stephen Thompson gets BRUTALLY knocked out by Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307

Joaquin Buckley raises profile with leaping KO over Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 (Source: IMAGO/UFC News (@UFCNews) / X)

Stephen Thompson stepped into the Octagon at UFC 307 with a multi-faceted approach to his career. The scintillating Karate kid met an equally potent Joaquin Buckley at the tail end of the late prelims. The veteran had high hopes of surviving and proving he still got it. He did up to a point, but ‘New Mansa’ was relentless.

Buckley was on a roll, winning after consecutive losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Chris Curtis in 2022. ‘New Mansa’ went 4-0 since dropping to 170 pounds in 2023 and wanted to stick to it. Thompson thought the opponent would go wrestle-heavy. Starting with a blitz double-leg, Buckley struck six times and succeeded. But a taller Thompson skillfully slid off the range. He even answered back.

YouTube video

Considered one of the UFC’s best strikers, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson has lost three of his last four. His last loss was to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 in December. Even at 41, Thompson’s unusual karate style makes him one of the division’s trickiest as a counter striker.

FS Video

Despite his historic distance problems, Joaquin Buckley did manage to get the legs and clinch him down in R2. A groin shot from Buckely halted the action, but it shot off in striking range. At times, ‘Wonderboy’ left his chin open in the air.

Buckley channeled his inner “Blessed” fighter and opened the last round with some wild striking exchange. Stephen Thompson checked the hitbox with his dangerous head kick. However, a wobbled Buckely lunged in and cracked Thompson, who had his chin way up in the air. Mike Beltran promptly stopped it in Round 3 at the 2:17 mark, which has gone quite viral.

RELATED
“You can’t be saying, ‘Momma raised a h*e'” – Daniel Cormier finally puts Joaquin Buckley on the spot over their recent beef
Joaquin Buckley and Daniel Cormier squash beef before UFC 307

Fight fans react to Joaquin Buckley shutting out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson

The pay-per-view prelim at UFC 307 was to provide a pure striker delight between two potent figurines. There were some pent-up issues about the card placement; both fighters proved why. Joaquin Buckley and Stephen Thompson both went at it, bloody and resolved. A cut on Buckley’s brow, a smudge on Thompson’s left temple, and they performed on all cylinders.

Fans react to Stephen Thompson's loss
Fans react to Stephen Thompson’s loss (Source: X)

Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has had phenomenal striking at a range of his own. But it did not matter going up against a counterstriker like ‘Wonderboy.’ Hence, ‘New Mansa’ took great care that Salt Lake City was where he wrote his ticket with a patient pace. With a vicious one-punch knockout, the ever-outspoken welterweight contender took care of business inside the octagon. Here are a few reactions to it:

It was a stunning finish after Buckley had struggled on the feet against the crafty Thompson. Some fans alluded to as much, with Buckley having a poorer form. But it was only one big shot that did the trick and downed Stephen Thompson.

RELATED
“Tired of getting knocked out,” Former middleweight Joaquin Buckley reveals REAL reason behind welterweight move
Joaquin Buckley tired of getting knocked out

More than Buckley winning at UFC 307, it was the shock treatment of fan-fave ‘Wonderboy, tumbling to the mat. A prominent reaction (@farttur) even said they “hate this sport so much” because of it. To see someone rise, some crowd favorites subsequently fall. It was an ultra-impressive feat for Buckley, who won his fifth fight in a row since moving up to 170.