Dana White favored what he noticed from Joaquin Buckley this Saturday. Nicely, no less than virtually all of it.
The UFC CEO was taken away by Buckley’s (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) displaying at UFC on ESPN 56, the place he defeated Nursulton Ruziboev within the co-main occasion of the cardboard. Buckley, who had fought and defeated Vicente Luque on the finish of March, referred to as to battle in his hometown of St. Louis only a few weeks later towards whoever the UFC might put in entrance of him.
Regardless of coming off arguably probably the most high-profile win of his profession, Buckley accepted to tackle unranked, however harmful Ruziboev (34-9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), placing on his win streak on the road.
“He requested for this battle. He fought a man that was smashing folks within the first spherical, and he went on the market and took the battle to him,” White mentioned on the UFC on ESPN 56 post-fight press convention. “It was an unimaginable efficiency, and in his hometown. In my expertise, and it’s humorous since you get some guys say, ‘It’s my dream to battle in my hometown,’ however most individuals don’t need to battle of their hometown. There’s plenty of stress and everyone is hitting you up for tickets. It’s a special vibe if you battle in your hometown.
“Buckley referred to as for this, got here out, and he delivered. That man goes to be a rock star right here now. Individuals who didn’t know who he was yesterday, undoubtedly know who he’s now.”
He is obtained his eyes on ONE individual after tonight’s victory 👀@NewMansa94 | #UFCStLouis pic.twitter.com/rPsQzc8W2a
— UFC (@ufc) Could 12, 2024
After the victory, Buckley was interviewed within the cage the place he referred to as for a battle towards UFC famous person Conor McGregor – one thing White received’t entertain, as he answered with a easy “Nuh-uh” when requested about it on the post-fight press convention.
Buckley is on a four-fight successful streak since dropping again all the way down to welterweight. He’s in certainly one of his finest profession runs and shortly rising up the ladder at 170 kilos. He additionally mentioned he’s excited by combating welterweight veteran contender Gilbert Burns subsequent.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 56.
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