Joaquin Buckley faces a pivotal moment in his career this Saturday at UFC Atlanta when he competes against former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. After a tough defeat against a Sean Strickland teammate, Buckley has built momentum with a six-fight winning streak and aims to secure a welterweight title shot by defeating the returning ‘Nigerian Nightmare.’
Known as ‘New Mansa,’ Buckley’s recent victories, including a commanding win over Colby Covington, have moved him closer to earning a title opportunity, while also addressing the rising challenge posed by Islam Makhachev in the division.
Details of Buckley’s Knockout Loss Against Chris Curtis
Buckley’s most recent loss occurred in 2022 at UFC 282, where he was stopped by Chris Curtis, a teammate of Sean Strickland. Before facing Curtis, Buckley had overcome Nassourdine Imavov in Paris but was then matched with Curtis, who entered the bout after notable wins yet was coming off a loss to Jack Hermansson.
During their fight, Buckley controlled much of the early action in the first round with effective boxing and aggressive strikes. However, two minutes in, he took a powerful left hand from Curtis but remained on his feet.
In the second round, Curtis pushed forward aggressively, forcing Buckley to defend while attempting a left body kick that Curtis caught. Seizing the moment, Curtis delivered a devastating left hand to Buckley’s chin, sending him crashing to the canvas. Curtis followed with intense ground-and-pound strikes, rendering Buckley unconscious.
Joe Rogan’s Reaction Highlighted the Impact of Curtis’ Knockout
UFC commentator and icon Joe Rogan praised the precision of Curtis’ knockout punch during the live broadcast, calling it “the perfect left hand.”
Boy, did he land well! Look at this, the kick comes, boom! He catches him with a perfect left hand, Buckley in all sorts of trouble… Boom! I mean, perfect left hand!
—Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator
Following this loss, Buckley and Curtis have experienced sharply contrasting career trajectories. Buckley has shot up into title contention within the welterweight division, while Curtis has managed only one win in his subsequent five fights.
The Significance of Buckley’s Rebound for His Career
Buckley’s recovery from a brutal KO loss to a top contender underlines his resilience and determination in the UFC. His ongoing winning streak and upcoming high-profile matchup against Kamaru Usman could cement his status as a legitimate title contender. A victory at UFC Atlanta would not only enhance his reputation but also potentially secure a welterweight championship opportunity, marking a crucial turning point in his career trajectory.