The UFC’s return to Kansas City this past Saturday night saw ‘The Future’ emerge victorious over five rounds.
In order to bounce back into the win column, Ian Machado Garry had to survive a late rally from Carlos Prates to get his hand raised via a unanimous decision on April 26.
The victory has put the Irishman back into the title picture with Machado Garry already outlining his three-fight plan going forwards.
Joaquin Buckley was in attendance at the T-Mobile Center where he had attempted to try and get close to his fellow 170-pounder before he was obstructed.
Buckley wasn’t impressed by Machado Garry’s ninth win inside the Octagon where he had to dig deep in the final moments.
Joaquin Buckley claims that Ian Machado Garry’s wife sent him a message after she diffused a potential confrontation
Joaquin Buckley is set to face the returning Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Atlanta on June 14 in another big fight for the division.
Regardless of the fact that his next outing is already booked, ‘New Mansa’ is still targeting Ian Machado Garry after the pair were matched up for UFC Tampa last December.
The contest didn’t happen on that occasion due to a shuffling of the cards at 170-pounds but it’s still a fight that Buckley is actively pursuing.
He clearly had the intention of sharing some form of exchange with Machado Garry hence why he was sat near the stage during the ceremonial weigh-ins that took place on April 25.
After the Irishman had stepped on the scales and faced off with Carlos Prates, he made his way to the side of the stage where Buckley attempted to get near him after standing up and gesturing to ‘The Future’.
The advance of the #6-ranked contender was cut off by Machado Garry’s wife who was sat near Buckley as she beat him to the stage to pass her son to his father.
‘New Mansa’ waited just behind her but Machado Garry paid little attention to him after the potential confrontation was quickly diffused.
Buckley later shared a video of the quick interaction on his Instagram page where he commentated over it, claiming that his fellow welterweight’s wife had given him a message during the brief exchange.
“What up guy, y’all know I had to pull up on Ian Garry at the weigh-ins for talking all that mess in his little interview. So, I wait till he get done, I’m waiting patient. As soon as I pull up, boom, she bumped right into me. She gone use the baby as a shield, pass him off to him. So I’m like alright, alright, I’ll let you have that one but as soon as I’m about to turn around, she comes over to me, caress my arm and say, ‘Imma see you later on tonight’. Girl, what the f— that mean. I’m trying to see him not you.”
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Joaquin Buckley was out of his seat for the final moments of Ian Machado Garry vs Carlos Prates
Like many fight fans, Joaquin Buckley was convinced that in the final moments of this past weekend’s main event, Carlos Prates was going to pull off a remarkable comeback.
The Brazilian clearly lost the first three rounds on the scorecards but after bouncing back in the fourth, he hurt Ian Machado Garry in the fifth round.
‘The Nightmare’ poured on the pressure but his opponent was able to stay out of danger whilst being in survival mode as the clock ran down.
Buckley posted an Instagram video of his reaction to the final moments of the fight as he got out of his seat before telling Machado Garry that he nearly threw their potential fight away.
“Ian, boy, stop messing up, you’re making mistakes. You’re gonna get knocked out. We need Buck versus C— for our first PPV. Don’t f— it up, man.”