Joaquin Buckley is holding his head excessive.
On Saturday night time, Buckley squared off in opposition to former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the primary occasion of UFC Atlanta, shedding a unanimous choice. It’s a tricky setback for Buckley, who was on the cusp of a title shot, however regardless of the loss, “New Mansa” isn’t too down together with his efficiency.
“Look, Atlanta was good to us, child,” Buckley stated in a video poster to his Instagram on Sunday. “We offered out the world. It was a serious alternative for me to go on the market and present up and present out. I really imagine I did that. Particularly within the fifth spherical, we had Usman backing up, attempting to get these takedowns. We stuffed each one. However don’t get it twisted. Though my hand was not raised, I nonetheless really feel victorious.
“However nonetheless, shout out to Kamaru Usman. You’re really a legend, you might be really a GOAT. Thanks for the chance, for permitting me to have the ability to step into the octagon with you, and style me along with your presence.
“I simply actually needed to say thanks, Atlanta, for coming out and promoting out, and actually being an incredible crowd, as a result of with that power and with that love, I really imagine we are able to go into one other essential occasion and actually present up and present up.
“With that being stated, I didn’t win, I didn’t get my hand raised, however that’s all good. This offers me time to take a break and actually type of work on some instruments and work on some issues we’ve set to work on. …
“What we handled by that struggle, I actually really feel like we was up in opposition to the world. However I really feel like we did a fantastic job. … It was a whole lot of strain that was on us that night time, however I really really feel privileged that I used to be on the market and in a position to put some worries on that boy, had that boy sweating. It simply reveals what our actual capabilities are. I really, really imagine we’re going to take this time and get higher and are available again even stronger.”
“Hand wasn’t raised final night time however I’m nonetheless victorious and will likely be one of many greats ☝️
“This journey has been past superb and I wouldn’t change a factor that occurred in my struggle camp all the pieces was completely deliberate I simply didn’t execute like I do know I might… we needed to land early injury on Usman and get him shifting again however he did a great job neutralizing threats with takedowns
“However don’t get it twisted usman was extra involved about holding me than hurting me on this struggle however he did what he felt was essential to win and so can’t be mad at him Congrats to Usman and his Staff and Francis Ngannou, I noticed message Excited concerning the welterweight division See ya after I see ya ”
The loss was Buckley’s first since returning to the welterweight division in 2023. He had amassed a six-fight successful streak earlier than UFC Atlanta, however now drops again within the presently crowded welterweight title image. Usman, in the meantime, picked up his first win since 2021, and afterwards lobbied for a shot on the winner of the deliberate Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev title struggle.
