Former UFC champ questions Joaquin Buckley’s ‘confidence’ ahead of UFC Edmonton

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By Curtis Calhoun

Published

October 13, 2026, 1:17 pm PDT

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Credit: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

One former UFC champion believes Joaquin Buckley’s confidence will be tested as he looks to snap his recent skid at UFC Edmonton.

Joaquin Buckley headlines UFC Edmonton this weekend against Mike Malott as he looks to snap a two-fight skid. Buckley, one of the UFC’s most dangerous knockout artists, recently lost to Sean Brady and former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

As he looks to potentially get back into the welterweight title mix, Buckley has a lot of questions to answer against Malott at UFC Edmonton. After a lopsided defeat to Brady at UFC 328, people have questioned Buckley’s wrestling and tenacity.

One former UFC titleholder believes Buckley’s confidence will be tested as he looks to get back on track this weekend.

Robert Whittaker interested in Joaquin Buckley’s ‘weight on his shoulders’ ahead of UFC Edmonton

In a recent episode of the MMArcade podcast, former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker questioned Buckley’s confidence level ahead of UFC Edmonton.

“(Buckley’s) personality lends itself to think that he’s a very big confidence fighter, momentum fighter, and that he rides and carries that confidence and momentum through with him into the octagon itself,” Whittaker said of Buckley.

“Him coming off two losses against a guy like Malott, who’s coming off like really hot and heavy … whenever you’re on two losses, the feeling you have walking into the octagon that third time – it’s heavy. There’s just a weight on your shoulders because you know, even if you are quieting and silencing all the outside noise, you know that this third one, if you lose, mate, everyone’s telling you to get a new job.

“But I worry that Buckley’s going to go in there with a headspace that just doesn’t have the confidence,” Whittaker continued on Buckley. “And the momentum in that untouchable, invincible aura that he was just ripping through the division with when he had that win streak.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

What is your prediction for Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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