Morning Report: Joaquin Buckley demands title shot with UFC Atlanta win, calls Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev ‘not a massive fight’

Islam Makhachev vs. welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena? Not so quick, says Joaquin Buckley.

“New Mansa” faces Kamaru Usman in the principle occasion of UFC Atlanta this Saturday and he’s hopeful {that a} win over the previous welterweight king vaults him into the No. 1 contender spot. In six appearances at 170 kilos, Buckley is undefeated, with current wins over Colby Covington and Stephen Thompson.

Sadly for Buckley, the UFC has already made it clear that Della Maddalena’s first title protection is anticipated to be in opposition to Makhachev, the Pound-for-Pound No. 1 fighter on this planet that’s set to vacate his light-weight belt to chase a second championship.

Nonetheless, Buckley stays undeterred.

“You already know as soon as we beat Kamaru Usman, it’s title time,” Buckley stated on his Buck What You Heard present. “It’s time to go get my belt. There’s no different individual that’s been doing what I’ve been doing within the roster. I don’t actually like to speak about different folks and their careers, however like I stated, mine’s been unmatched with not simply having 15 fights throughout the promotion inside 5 years, however as properly going undefeated within the welterweight division. Additionally, knocking out each ranked opponent and like I stated, would possibly get my fourth knockout of my ranked opponent in Kamaru Usman.

“You may’t title one other man that’s doing one thing like that. So as soon as I beat Kamaru Usman, there isn’t a debate, there isn’t a back-and-forth, there isn’t a argument. We up subsequent. You already know we obtained this man from 155 developing pondering he going to take my spot. Nah, we are able to’t have it. I really imagine that with all the things that’s coming, the ‘JDM’ and Islam battle is just not a large battle to make. JDM is the world champion proper now, however I really imagine that Islam’s obtained to sit down again and simply look forward to me to get my title as a result of I would be the hardest battle that Islam has.”

Buckley doesn’t simply assume he deserves the chance greater than Makhachev due to what he’s completed within the weight class. He additionally thinks he has each instrument to defeat Makhachev ought to it come to that.

“He’s not going to out-wrestle me,” Buckley stated. “He’s not going to submit me, I’ve by no means been submitted in my profession. And he’s positively not going to face on the toes with me. If the folks need to see it, it’s going to be made.

“I already know that the fan base, they know what JDM’s about, they know what he’s good at, what he struggles at. That’s a toss-up for Islam. Don’t get it twisted, if Islam does get blessed with that title shot and he does beat JDM, he’s not going to remain there. He’s going to retire. He’s going to rise up out of there fast as a result of he is aware of he’s not a pure 170 fighter. And particularly with myself, he positively going to run from an individual like me. So earlier than that even occurs, I’ve obtained to ensure I get myself to that belt. However you already know, the world ain’t truthful, typically you don’t get what you deserve. So that is why we’ve obtained to demand it. We’ve obtained to go after it and we’ve obtained to take it.”

Buckley isn’t trying previous Usman, the previous champion who strung collectively 5 consecutive title defenses earlier than dropping the belt in 2022. It’s his respect for Usman that has him feeling like he’ll both rating a end that makes him the plain No. 1 contender or the 2 will placed on a battle for the ages.

“Once I battle Kamaru Usman, there’s solely two methods the way it’s going to complete,” Buckley stated. “We’re both going to be knocking out Kamaru Usman or that is going to be Struggle of the Night time. That’s the one two choices.

“I really feel like in my coronary heart, Kamaru Usman, him being former world champion, him about to be a future Corridor of Famer, I’m already understanding that he’s placing in that kind of labor. But when he’s not, then he’s positively getting knocked out come June 14.”

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Retire? Justin Gaethje’s supervisor says the longer term Corridor of Famer might retire if he doesn’t get a title shot quickly.

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Pay attention, it’s Merab’s world, we’re simply dwelling in it.

Forward of UFC Atlanta…

The most effective knockouts of the week.

Ser Davos simply killed a man.

Oh, Kape.

Let’s do it!

Do a great factor.

Attempt strolling a mile on this man’s footwear.

Seems nice.

Brandon Royval (17-7) vs. Joshua Van (14-2); UFC 317, June 28

Joaquin Buckley might repeat his well-known knockout of Impa Kasanganay this Saturday and everyone knows he’s nonetheless not getting that title shot over Islam Makhachev.

Nonetheless, the query could be requested…

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