October 2, 2024 8:00 pm ET
SALT LAKE CITY – Joaquin Buckley doesn’t suppose the UFC welterweight title is simply too removed from attain, particularly if all goes effectively this weekend.
Buckley, who’s 4-0 since dropping to 170 kilos in 2023, believes a win over former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson this Saturday at UFC 307 will put him into title rivalry. Buckley (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) respects what Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) has executed in his profession, however sees him as one other step to get to his final objective.
“Proper now, he’s undoubtedly going to be any individual that’s going to push my identify, so you may name him a gatekeeper,” Buckley advised reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day. “He’s undoubtedly been on the highest stage for the longest time. That is truly the bottom rating he’s ever been, that we’ve seen, however on the finish of the day I can’t inform his story. I can solely make mine. However on the finish of the day, I really feel like this win for me is unquestionably going to place me within the place the place I can battle the title in the future.”
Even at 41, Thompson remains to be thought of one of many trickiest fights within the division, given his unusual karate fashion. Buckley admits it wasn’t simple to organize for “Wonderboy,” however he feels assured he’s going to get the job executed.
“It was laborious to seek out (the same coaching accomplice),” Buckley mentioned. ‘I went to Austin, Texas to go practice with Raymond Daniels, however that coaching and that sparring by no means occurred. I used to be just a little bummed out as a result of there’s no one else that may replicate my fashion apart from that particular person I went to go practice with. However then I considered it, ‘Who’s he coaching in an effort to imitate me?’ On the finish of the day, that is going to be the battle of who’s obtained the very best model and magnificence to get their hand raised.” For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 307.
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