Israel Adesanya openly confessed to being a “hater” of Joaquin Buckley during his reaction to UFC Atlanta last Saturday, where Buckley faced Kamaru Usman. Watching from home, Adesanya shared his blunt and emotional response to Buckley’s presence and performance at the event, expressing deep frustration with the fighter.
‘The Last Stylebender’ was scheduled to headline the night with Usman, and as UFC Fight Night unfolded, Adesanya did not hold back his feelings about Buckley just before the latter’s walkout. In a candid video posted on his YouTube channel, Adesanya said:
“I hate this n*gga bro. I don’t even use the word hate lightly, but I hate this n*gga bro. Something about him just f**king annoys me. Coolest thing he’s ever done is that kick… At one point, I just literally walked away as he was talking, and he didn’t like that, and then he went against me since then but f**k the dude. Maybe I’m a hater.”
—Israel Adesanya, UFC Fighter
Ultimately, Buckley was defeated by Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision, ending his six-fight winning streak in the middle of a critical event at UFC Atlanta. This loss marked a significant moment amid growing tensions and rivalry in the UFC middleweight division.
Joaquin Buckley’s Earlier Critique of Israel Adesanya’s Style
Nearly a year ago, Joaquin Buckley publicly analyzed Israel Adesanya’s fighting weaknesses during an appearance on the JRE MMA Show. Buckley pinpointed vulnerabilities in Adesanya’s defensive methods, explaining how his reach and defensive posture could open him up to counterstrikes. He stated:
“I feel like Izzy is able to be finished in certain positions that he put himself in because there’s a lot of things that he does. Because of his reach, he leans back a lot to try to counter away from punches. But if you can find that angle and you can see the holes open in there because his body is there, his chin is available, you can find that punch.”
—Joaquin Buckley, UFC Fighter
This assessment came as part of a broader discussion about Adesanya’s reign at the top of the UFC middleweight ranks, where he had dominated for almost four years. However, Adesanya is currently facing a challenging period, having lost three fights consecutively against Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov, intensifying the pressure on him to adapt and rebound.
The Growing Rivalry and What It Means for UFC Middleweight Competition
The candid exchange between Israel Adesanya and Joaquin Buckley reflects rising tension and competitive friction within the UFC middleweight division. As Adesanya grapples with recent setbacks, his outspoken frustration and labeling Buckley as a “hater” underline the emotional stakes involved. Buckley’s loss to Usman at UFC Atlanta halts his momentum but fuels anticipation around future matchups and rivalries.
This ongoing dynamic not only highlights personal grievances but also points to shifting power structures in the division, with veteran champions like Adesanya facing emergent contenders. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how these conflicts and performances shape the next chapters of UFC middleweight competition.