Joaquin Buckley eyes title shot with Stephen Thompson win

SALT LAKE CITY – Joaquin Buckley doesn’t assume the UFC welterweight title is simply too removed from attain, particularly if all goes effectively this weekend.

Buckley, who’s 4-0 since dropping to 170 kilos in 2023, believes a win over former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson this Saturday at UFC 307 will put him into title rivalry. Buckley (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) respects what Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) has finished in his profession, however sees him as one other step to get to his final aim.

“Proper now, he’s positively going to be anyone that’s going to push my identify, so you’ll be able to name him a gatekeeper,” Buckley informed reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day. “He’s positively been on the highest stage for the longest time. That is really the bottom rating he’s ever been, that we’ve seen, however on the finish of the day I can’t inform his story. I can solely make mine. However on the finish of the day, I really feel like this win for me is certainly going to place me within the place the place I can combat the title someday.”

Even at 41, Thompson remains to be thought-about one of many trickiest fights within the division, given his unusual karate fashion. Buckley admits it wasn’t simple to organize for “Wonderboy,” however he feels assured he’s going to get the job finished.

“It was exhausting to search out (an identical coaching accomplice),” Buckley stated. ‘I went to Austin, Texas to go practice with Raymond Daniels, however that coaching and that sparring by no means occurred. I used to be a bit of bummed out as a result of there’s no person else that may replicate my fashion in addition to that individual I went to go practice with. However then I considered it, ‘Who’s he coaching in an effort to imitate me?’ On the finish of the day, that is going to be the combat of who’s acquired the very best model and elegance to get their hand raised.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 307.