Joakin Bakli Claims Title Rights Against Islam Makhachov
** Cotching the Gold**
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has been itchin' for a taste of the welterweight division, but his hankerin' came at a cost – he passed up defendin' his title for a crack at Jack Della Maddalena's 170-pound belt. But Joaquin Buckley reckons Makhachev's gonna reconsider when he finds out his first defense could be against ol' Buck himself!
New Mansa spouted his thoughts on his YouTube channel:
"After I hand the main event belt to UFC Atlanta, there ain't no debate - I'm the next contestant!"
Buckley wasn't finished:
"This lightweight thinkin' he's steppin' into my spot? Not on yer life, mate! The fight between Della Maddalena and Makhachev ain't no mega-event. Islam oughta just bide his time till I grab the belt. I'll be his toughest opponent. He won't make me tap, won't put me down – I've never tapped or been KOd in me career – and he sure as hell ain't beatin' me in the stand-up!"
You heard that? Buckley's on a six-fight roll, with four finishes, and he's sixth in the UFC welterweight rankings. Contenders like Ian Machado Garry and Sean Brady are loomin', but things might shift with the return of Shavkat Rakhmonov, as he recovers from surgery.
Fun fact: Buckley's current bout is against former champ Kamaru Usman. Their rumble's set for June 15th.
🖼️ Bonus Reads
- PFL added a title eliminator bout in the lightweight division for the next tournament
- Get a peek at Manel Kape's broken foot before UFC 317
- Daniel Cormier mused if Sean O'Malley could challenge for the title once again
Bookmakers may be discussing Joaquin Buckley's potential victory in the upcoming mixed-martial-arts fight against Islam Makhachev in the welterweight division, due to Buckley's current six-fight win streak and his sixth position in the UFC welterweight rankings. Among the sports events, the fight between Buckley and former champ Kamaru Usman, scheduled for June 15th, is gaining significant attention in the MMA community.
