One of the welterweight division’s most in-form contenders is looking to beat his second former champion.
After stopping Colby Covington last December in Tampa, Joaquin Buckley asked the fans to vote on who should be next for him.
The victory had taken him to six-consecutive wins with ‘New Mansa’ having more momentum behind him than ever before as he continues to push towards the division’s top five.
After giving the fans three different names to pick from, their preferred option is the one that has come to fruition with Buckley versus Kamaru Usman being made official for June 14.
Usman has already broken his silence on the announcement whilst his next opponent chose to respond to the news in a very different way.
Joaquin Buckley lists off his welterweight hitlist before setting his sights on Kamaru Usman
Joaquin Buckley already has 15 UFC fights under his belt but it is in this latest welterweight run where he has really proven what he’s capable of.
He has always been a fighter that says what is on his mind but it appears that now more than ever, he’s rallying supporters around him as his stock continues to climb.
Of course, Buckley emerged on a lot of radars after he produced one of the greatest knockouts of all time against Impa Kasanganay but he’s now earning recognition for being much more than just a highlight reel.
With the biggest fight of his career to date now locked in for Atlanta as he welcomes Kamaru Usman back to the Octagon, the #6-ranked contender got fans excited with his first social media post since the announcement.
The video begins with footage of Buckley that features a voiceover which is talking about how he could go on to become UFC champion.
Where the video picks up is when it cuts to ‘New Mansa’ being sat at a desk when a contract comes his way, featuring a headshot of Vicente Luque with a reward of the #11-ranking should he execute the task.
Video shows Buckley stopping Luque in one-sided fashion before the welterweight bounty hunter receives his next name, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, who he knocked out at UFC 307.
Contracts and finishes come thick and fast and it’s the same again for Colby Covington who he took out in Tampa before at the end of the video, Kamaru Usman’s name is the last one to land at his table.
The goal is simple. Mission: Eliminate, Reward: Title Shot.
Joaquin Buckley will be undeniable for a UFC title shot if he spoils Kamaru Usman’s return
Some fans have been somewhat critical of the way that Joaquin Buckley has been booked against a lot of the older welterweight contenders who are on their way down the ladder.
This same sentiment is sure to be raised over his next matchup with Kamaru Usman due to the former welterweight champion being on a three-fight losing streak having not fought in over 18 months.
That being said, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ still occupies the #4-ranking in the division and losing fights to Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev is hardly a huge red flag.
If Usman has been able to heal some of his injuries by taking time off, things could get very interesting in Atlanta when the new blood takes on the old guard.