Joaquin Buckley: Joaquin Buckley questions Islam Makhachev’s future at welterweight, demands title shot with win over Kamaru Usman

Earlier this year, Islam Makhachev vacated his UFC lightweight title in pursuit of welterweight gold to become a two-division champion. While Makhachev is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the belt in the latter's first title defense, Joaquin Buckley recently made the case that he is more deserving of the title opportunity.

Buckley claimed that a victory over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta this weekend should warrant him a title shot. Speaking on his official YouTube channel, 'New Mansa' stated:

"Once I beat Kamaru Usman, there is no debate, there is no back-and-forth, there is no argument. We up next. And you already know, you got this guy from 155 [pounds] coming up thinking he's going to take my spot. Nah, we can't have it. I truly believe that with everything that's coming, the 'JDM' and Islam fight is not a massive fight to make. 'JDM' is the world champion, right now, but I truly believe that Islam got to sit back and just wait for me to get my title."

Buckley thinks he will be "the hardest fight" for Makhachev. He added:

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"I will be the hardest fight that Islam has. He's not going to out wrestle me. He's not going to submit me - I've never been submitted in my career. And he's definitely not going to stand on the feet with me. If the people want to see it, it's going to be made... If Islam does get blessed with that title shot and he does beat JDM, he's not going to stay there. He's going to retire. He's going to get up out of there quick."

Check out Joaquin Buckley's comments about Islam Makhachev below:

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Buckley claimed that Makhachev knows he is not a natural welterweight and that he would run from the challenge of a potential matchup. 'New Mansa' labeled the potential matchup between the Russian fighter and Della Maddalena as a toss-up.

Arman Tsarukyan claims Islam Makhachev is the favorite against Jack Della Maddalena

Arman Tsarukyan appeared set to face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311, however, the former was forced to pull out of the bout on one day's notice after suffering a back injury during his weight cut.

Following Makhachev's decision to make the move up to welterweight, Tsarukyan revealed who he believes would be favored in the rumored title bout against Jack Della Maddalena, stating:

"I see Islam as the favorite because of wrestling, control, chokes. Islam, I think he has a much better wrestling game and can easily take [him] down."

Check out Arman Tsarukyan's comments on Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev below:

Tsarukyan believes Della Maddalena is a tougher matchup for Makhachev than Ilia Topuria. He suggested that claims that the former UFC lightweight champion ran away from a potential matchup with 'El Matador' are without merit.

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Caleb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Purdue University, which now helps him to provide accurate information to his readers with a personalized touch. Being an MMA fan since childhood, Caleb’s Mt. Rushmore of fighters consists of Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva.

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Edited by Subham