At UFC Atlanta, Joaquin Buckley became the subject of sharp criticism from Israel Adesanya, sparking a heated exchange between the two fighters. Buckley responded forcefully to Adesanya’s public dislike, addressing the tension that followed his recent bout with Kamaru Usman.

Joaquin Buckley Points Adesanya’s Frustration Toward Dricus du Plessis Instead

Throughout his middleweight championship tenure, Israel Adesanya faced numerous opponents, including Robert Whittaker, Alex Pereira, and Sean Strickland. A notable rivalry intensified when South African fighter Dricus du Plessis defeated Adesanya in a high-profile match at UFC 305 last summer.

Buckley fired back at Adesanya by channeling his anger toward du Plessis. On social media, Buckley wrote,

Hate the farmer that took yo belt n—- not me,

—Joaquin Buckley

Stand on business bout Africa or China or wherever the f— you from b—-.

—Joaquin Buckley

His reference to du Plessis as a ‘boer’ alluded to the descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa. This comment came amid an ongoing verbal rivalry between du Plessis and Adesanya, especially after du Plessis declared ambitions to become an African champion in 2023.

Earlier, Adesanya did not hold back his annoyance toward Buckley during the broadcast of his fight with Usman, saying,

“I hate this n**** bro. Something about him just f***ing annoys me.”

—Israel Adesanya

Expert View: Gilbert Burns Anticipated Usman’s Dominance Over Buckley

Kamaru Usman returned to competition amid doubts after nearly four years without a win and a two-year break from fighting. Many expected the younger Buckley, known for his athleticism and physicality, to outperform Usman.

Sean Brady, a top contender, favored Buckley, asserting he was ‘too young’ and ‘too physical’ for Usman, predicting a unanimous decision victory for Buckley. However, Gilbert Burns, a former opponent of both men and a ranked UFC welterweight, predicted a different outcome.

Burns anticipated Usman would apply relentless pressure and use his wrestling skills effectively, similar to the strategy used by teammate Logan Storley back in 2018. Usman executed this plan to perfection, taking Buckley down four times and controlling nearly half of their 25-minute match.

Significance and Potential Impact of This Rivalry

The ongoing tension between Buckley and Adesanya extends beyond personal animosity, highlighting the complexities of UFC rivalries intertwined with championship legacies and regional pride. Buckley’s defiance may embolden other fighters who feel overlooked or targeted by established champions.

This animosity also shines a spotlight on the emergence of fighters like du Plessis, who have caused shifts in the middleweight division hierarchy. The exchanges between these athletes are likely to influence matchups and fuel future confrontations in the lead-up to upcoming UFC events.