Following Joaquin Buckley’s stunning knockout victory over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 307, the main talk in the aftermath was about Buckley’s post-fight taunt of former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, on the other hand, dismisses Buckley’s challenge with a tone that belies his confidence and shows no interest in taking it on.
A Comeback That Startled Everyone
The performance that Buckley gave at UFC 307 was remarkable. With Thompson being a seasoned striker known for his amazing hitting prowess, Buckley stunned the world by being the second fighter to take him out. He made an early attempt to grapple, but Thompson, predictably, swiftly regained his balance and was prepared to carry on the fight.
The battle appeared to be razor-thin on the judges’ scorecards, and the winner would be decided in the third round. But Buckley sealed his destiny with an overhand right that was devastating, evoking memories of Anthony Pettis’s superman punch that stopped Thompson five years prior. As Buckley declared a victory that would go down in UFC history, the crowd erupted in shock.
The Cry Heard Throughout the Octagon
Following his win, Buckley did not hesitate to criticize Usman, keen to establish his mettle against one of the greatest players in the division’s history. But rather than feeling threatening, Usman laughed at the callout. Henry Cejudo, co-host of the Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry podcast, asked Usman about his feelings over Buckley’s post-fight challenge in the most recent episode. Usman’s answer? Laughing.
Given Buckley’s stellar 5-0 record at welterweight, many may believe he is deserving of a chance to face the former champion. Usman, though, is unmoved and continues to demand that Buckley and the other fighters who have attempted to challenge him choose a number and wait for their time.
The phrase “Take a Number and Get in Line” says it all. Usman stated, obviously unmoved by Buckley’s provocation. “I think he’s the tenth or eleventh guy to call me out.” I’m not sure how many men have already completed the task. It is what it is, really.
Although Buckley seemed to be losing the fight at times, Usman accepted Buckley’s triumph and pointed out that Buckley’s perseverance eventually allowed him to make the ideal shot to finish Thompson. Usman exclaimed, “Hats off to him for that.” “But like DC [Daniel Cormier] said, it’s a more reasonable callout this time because Buckley’s on a good streak.”
Usman made it plain that Buckley’s recent victory does not, at this time, justify a bout with him, despite the plaudits. The former champion stressed that before Buckley could be considered a serious championship candidate, he would need to win more notable fights, much like many other welterweights.
No Plans for a Showdown
Yet Buckley will have to wait in line for the opportunity to face the renowned Kamaru Usman, just like the other welterweights. Even with his impressive knockout triumph and rising stature, Buckley’s ambition of going up against Usman might never come true.
Even said, Buckley has the potential to become a formidable force in the division with a few more standout performances, making it hard for Usman or any other elite competitor to ignore him.
Although Buckley is clearly a rising star in the UFC welterweight class, Usman’s unwillingness to interact with him says a lot about the dynamics of the sport. Even a huge victory like Buckley’s isn’t necessarily enough to put you ahead of the competition in a division full of talented competitors. Usman’s “take a number” strategy is in line with the realities of the fight game, which emphasize timing, domination, and consistency. Although Buckley has talent, he will need to demonstrate his readiness to take on opponents like Usman with more than one spectacular knockout.
