Joaquin Buckley | Photo, Jeff Bottari
Joaquin Buckley: Legends & Legacy
The UFC has basically given Joaquin Buckley a subscription to beat up aging veterans every few months. Since October 2024 alone, he’s been handed:
– 41-year-old Stephen Thompson, who was 1-3 in his last four fights.
– 36-year-old Colby Covington, 1-2 in his last three.
– 38-year-old Kamaru Usman, 0-3 in his last three.
Many young prospects dream of “eating up” aging stars with big names, but Buckley is the one who actually got the opportunity. Why? There are two clear reasons.
First — Buckley’s knockout power and generally exciting style. All he’s missing are a few big names on his résumé, and aging stars are the perfect fuel for building hype.
Second — his American nationality. The UFC is an American league, with the U.S. as its primary market. But finding new American-born stars has become a real struggle. That’s why the promotion is ready to give Buckley a serious push.
Buckley vs Usman | HOF
Buckley vs Usman
And it’s not just about nationality. Buckley is one of the few fighters who can truly represent Black American culture inside MMA. Fighters like Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Francis Ngannou are incredible, but their identities are tied more to Africa than to America. Jamahal Hill was starting to carry the torch for Black American fighters, but he somewhat hurt his image with controversial statements and recent losses. Buckley, on the other hand, still feels raw, authentic, and deeply connected to that culture.
Of course, Usman isn’t a free win — even in decline, he’s a dangerous challenge. But in his current form, he’s definitely more vulnerable than ever.
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