Dana White liked what he saw Joaquin Buckley This saturday. Well, at least almost everything.
The UFC CEO was taken by Buckley’s (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) showing at UFC on ESPN 56, where he defeated Nursulton Ruziboev in the card’s co-main event. Buckley, who had fought and defeated Vicente Luque in late March, was called up to fight in his hometown of St. Louis a few weeks later, against whoever the UFC put in front of him.
Despite achieving the most important victory of his career, Buckley agreed to face the disqualified but dangerous Ruziboev (34-9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), putting his winning streak at risk.
“He asked for this fight. He fought a guy who was killing it in the first round, and he went there and took the fight to him,” White said on UFC on ESPN 56 Post-Fight Press Conference. “It was an incredible performance, and in his hometown. In my experience, it’s funny because some guys say, ‘My dream is to fight in my hometown,’ but most people don’t want to fight in their hometown. There’s a lot of pressure and everyone is asking for tickets. It’s a different vibe when you fight in your hometown.
“Buckley asked for it, went out and delivered it. This guy is going to be a rock star here now. People who didn’t know who he was yesterday definitely know who he is now.”
After the win, Buckley was interviewed in the cage where he called for a fight against UFC star Conor McGregor – something White won’t consider, as he responded with a simple “Nuh-uh” when asked about it in the post-fight press. conference.
Buckley is on a four-fight winning streak since returning to welterweight. He is on one of his best career runs and quickly moving up the 170-pound scale. He also said he is interested in facing veteran welterweight veteran Gilbert Burns next.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ESPN 56.
