Joaquin Buckley stole the show at last night’s UFC Fight Island 5 in Abu Dhabi. Deep in the prelims the fledgling middleweight sent shock-waves around the fighting world with an epic spinning head kick KO of Impa Kasanganay.
While Buckley was being feted for his technical savvy and brutality, Kasanganay was left picking up the pieces from a surprising loss that obliterated his undefeated record. None of this seemed to affect Kasanganay’s propensity for sportsmanship, though.
Last night the Congolese-American fighter took to Instagram to say “God bless you” to Buckley and tell him it was “an honor” to share the cage with him. Kasanganay also paid tribute to the kick that ended their contest, calling it a “beautiful shot”.
You can read Kasanganay’s entire post below:
@newmansa94 God bless you. It was an honor to step in the Octagon with you and to do what I love. Safe travels to you and your team Beautiful shot. Way to fight.
I will improve. To the @ufc and all staff members thank you for making fight Island a possibility . You are a top notch organization. I know the best is yet to come. God is great and He has never failed me. Never will. He’s so faithful. I look forward to to the opportunity to getting back into the Octagon. Back to work. God bless you. Thank you to my Dad such a blessing to have you in my corner , @nanucosta , and @bryan_barberena for cornering you had me prepared. Thank you so to my @gymotribe for working with me. You all have a special place in my heart. The best is yet to come.
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
Romans 8:18 NLT
– Love Tshilobo ❤️
Kasanganay is one of many fighters in recent months who has traversed the pipeline that connects Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series to Fight Island.
His first Contender series appearance, in 2019, featured a unanimous decision victory over Kailan Hill. That earned Kasanganay a second Contender Series opportunity in 2020, against Anthony Adams. He won that bout by unanimous decision, too.
After those wins Kasanganay graduated to the big show and booked a fight with Maki Pitolo at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakic in August. After an exciting striking match-up Kasanganay came away with the win, taking his record to 8-0, setting him up for a quick turnaround versus Buckley on Yas Island.
The win over Kasanganay was Buckley’s second appearance and first win in the UFC. He debuted versus Kevin Holland at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik in August.
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