Makhachev ‘Definitely Gonna Run' From Buckley
Islam Makhachev always wanted to compete at 170 pounds.
That's why the former lightweight champion is giving up his 155-pound title to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight strap. But Makhachev may have a change of heart when he realizes his first title defense will come against knockout artist Joaquin Buckley.
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Assuming 'New Mansa' gets past Kamaru Usman in the UFC Atlanta main event.
'So once I beat Kamaru Usman, there is no debate, there is no back-and-forth, there is no argument — we up next,' Buckley said on YouTube. 'You got this guy from 155 coming up thinking he gonna take my spot. We can't have it. The JDM fight and Islam fight is not a massive fight to make. I truly believe that Islam gotta sit back and just wait for me to get my title because I will be the hardest fight that Islam has. He's not gonna out-wrestle me. He's not gonna submit me. I never been submitted in my career — and he's definitely not gonna stand on the feet with me.'
I doubt anyone wants to stand with Buckley after watching this.
'If the people wanna see it, it's gonna be made,' Buckley continued. 'If Islam does get blessed with that title shot, and he does beat JDM, he's not gonna stay there. He's gonna retire. He's gonna get up outta there because he knows he's not a natural 170 fighter. And especially with myself, he's definitely gonna run from a person like me.'
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UFC has yet to make Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena official.
The 31 year-old Buckley (21-6) has won six straight with four knockouts and currently sits at No. 7 in the official welterweight rankings. Other aspiring contenders include the No. 6-ranked Ian Garry, as well as the No. 2-ranked Sean Brady. But the next 170-pound title shot may depend on the return of this surgically-repaired 'Nomad.'
As for Buckley, he's not going anywhere if the injected Usman has anything to say about it.
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