“Patriots don’t play eagles…” UFC Tampa star wants Dana White to have NFL like policy of booking fights

Joaquin Buckley talks about UFC matchmaking policy and complains about fighters not taking fight when asked by the promotion.

“Patriots don’t play eagles…” UFC Tampa star wants Dana White to have NFL like policy of booking fights

Dana White (Image via TUF)

The UFC matchmaking process is as complicated as it gets and has often caught fans off guard. While it results in some unpredictable matches, it is mostly inconsistent and ineffective. According to Joaquin Buckley, the process should be reformated to make it smooth.

Joaquin Buckley is currently on a five-fight win streak and is eager to go against the top fighters in the division. However, it seems like the fighter doesn’t like UFC’s way of making fights and has suggested a way to change it. Buckley gave examples of the NFL to back his point of view. 

You never have a situation where the Patriots don’t play the Eagles, or you have the Denver Nuggets not playing the Pistons. Everybody must go up against one another. There is no choice…The only way that you’re unable to fight is if you injured, you got something going on in your life, or whatever. 

Joaquin Buckley via Parry Punch 

According to Buckley, UFC gives its fighters options to pick and choose opponents, which results in delays in matchmaking. While the UFC delivers fan-favorite fights, there have been notable instances where fighters declined matchups for various reasons. Recently, Jon Jones‘ did the same with Tom Aspinall, which attracted a variety of criticism from fans. 

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Joaquin Buckley himself has faced troubles in getting his desired opponent until recently.  However, the 30-year-old is excited to try his luck against a veteran like Colby Covington at UFC Tampa. Going into the fight, the fighter is ready for everything. 

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Joaquin Buckley talks about facing Colby Covington’s trash-talking

Colby Covington is well known for being one of the nastiest trash talkers in UFC history. The fighter likes to make insults in order to get under his opponent’s skin ahead of the fight. In the past, ‘Chaos’ has often blurred the line between trash-talking and being all-out disrespectful.

Joaquin Buckley on fighting Colby Covington
Joaquin Buckley on fighting Colby Covington (via Imago)

However, all this has mostly helped Covington in becoming the superstar he is. Joaquin Buckley is aware of this and has mentally prepared himself for the verbal showdown. In the latest interview, the fighter shed light on Covington’s potential strategy. 

I have met this person. In person, he’s not that same dude. So, with that being said, it’s just all noise. No matter what he talks about he gotta live by that in the cage. 

Joaquin Buckley via UFC Tampa Media Day 

Covington lost his last bout against Leon Edwards and failed to capture the welterweight belt. However, this hasn’t affected his ambition to fight for the title again in the near future. But, before that, the fighter will have to go through the young and hungry Buckley.