After ‘big success’ Joaquin Buckley hopes to leapfrog into welterweight title picture in 2025
Surging UFC welterweight fighter Joaquin Buckley aims to enhance his standing in the promotion and has requested a title shot next year.
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Joaquin Buckley eyes for a title shot in 2025 (Image via UFC/Imago)
The UFC welterweight division is now filled with some of the most exciting fighters in the world. With Belal Muhammad reigning as the champion of the division, there are several upcoming prospects and contenders in the division. Joaquin ‘New Mansa’ Buckley is one such notable rising fighter on the list who is eyeing for a title shot in 2025.
Joaquin Buckley recently faced one of the veterans of the UFC’s welterweight division, Colby Covington, who was seeking a title shot, much like ‘New Mansa’ himself. The Amalie Arena in Tampa witnessed Covington’s loss to the rising welterweight fighter via doctor stoppage.
I feel like I have done enough to really put myself in the position… fight for the title. And even though I know that Shavkat is next… But if anything happens where Shavkat or Belal does not step up into the octagon. I want to face them… I definitely looking to take that throne (in) 2025.
Joaquin Buckley via UFC Tampa post-fight press conference
Initially, Buckley was not scheduled to face Covington at UFC Tampa; it was supposed to be Ian Machado Garry. However, after Belal Muhammad withdrew from his scheduled UFC 310 fight, there were several changes in the welterweight division matchups. Ultimately, Ian Garry ended up fighting Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, and Covington replaced Garry to face Buckley instead.
?NEW: Joaquin Buckley makes it known he feels he deserves the next welterweight title shot over Shavkat Rakhmonov, offers to step in for either Rakhmonov or Belal Muhammad if either one falls out of the fight, and dips. #UFCTampa
— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) December 15, 2024
“I feel like I’ve done enough to really put… pic.twitter.com/MkZv30oHKG
Over the years, Chaos has defeated several formidable opponents in the division and even held the interim championship. Due to this, the stakes were high for Buckley. With this impressive victory, ‘New Mansa’ now believes he is close to a title fight.
UFC Career Rewind: A look into Joaquin Buckley’s run in the promotion
Joaquin Buckley has established himself in the UFC by delivering explosive knockouts and creating viral moments. Since his promotional debut against Kevin Holland in 2020, Buckley’s career has been a rollercoaster, filled with exciting victories and hard-fought losses. His iconic jumping spinning kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay in October 2020 remains one of the most memorable moments in MMA history.
Buckley followed up on his debut fight with impressive victories, including knockouts over Jordan Wright, Antonio Arroyo, and Albert Duraev, which earned him additional recognition. However, Buckley was not able to string a decent run of wins to get to the top.
Returning to the welterweight division turned Buckley’s MMA career around for good. Currently (since his drop to 170), he is on a six-fight win streak, including a recent dominating performance against Colby Covington last night. It will be interesting to see if this resurgence of ‘New Mansa’ leads to striking gold.
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Nilaav Gogoi
(550 Articles Published)