Tag: UFC Welterweight Title

Joaquin Buckley Fires Back At Usman’s ‘Get In Line’ Advice

Joaquin Buckley recently retaliated against Kamaru Usman’s dismissive reaction to his callout for a potential matchup. Buckley secured the most significant victory of his career thus far with a stunning third-round knockout of former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 last weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. With this victory, “New Mansa” extended […]

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Joaquin Buckley recently retaliated against Kamaru Usman’s dismissive reaction to his callout for a potential matchup.

Buckley secured the most significant victory of his career thus far with a stunning third-round knockout of former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 last weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

With this victory, “New Mansa” extended his winning streak to five fights and wasted no time calling out Usman during his post-fight interview, making it clear that he’s ready to enter the mix for title contention.

However, earlier this week, in an episode of the Pound4Pound podcast, “The Nigerian Nightmare” brushed aside Buckley’s callout but left the door open for a potential fight down the line, stating, “Take a number and get in line.”

Buckley Seeks Title Eliminator Match With Usman

During a recent interview with Parry Punch, Buckley addressed Usman’s dismissal of his callout. “New Mansa” pointed out that, aside from the reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, no one else has stepped up to challenge Usman. However, even Muhammad has shifted his attention to his first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“That’s the funny thing; who’s in line?” Buckley said. “The crazy part about Belal was, like, Usman doesn’t even deserve a title shot. Plus, he said Shavkat is an easier fight than Usman, and that’s what I believe the UFC is going to make: the Shavkat vs. Belal fight. The thing with Usman is nobody calls him out, and he’s still a great name. The last fight he had was with Khamzat [Chimaev], so it’s been a whole year. Come and get this word; come and get paid at least.”

Buckley further emphasized that being a former champion doesn’t guarantee Usman an immediate title shot, especially after experiencing a string of losses. The 30-year-old Missouri native proposed that “The Nigerian Nightmare” should instead face him in a #1 contender’s bout.

“Just because you’ve been a former champion and held the belt for a significant amount of time doesn’t give you the right to come back and say, ‘All right, I get to fight for the belt again.’ You’re still not accounting for those three losses you’ve had. So prove to the world that you still have the ability to fight for a belt. With me having five wins and three finishes right now in the goddamn welterweight division, I feel like you can sell that idea. If Kamaru Usman beats me, boom, he can fight for the title.”

Usman is currently navigating the most challenging phase of his career, enduring a three-fight losing streak. The former UFC welterweight champion’s last appearance in the Octagon was at UFC 284 in October 2023, where he suffered a narrow majority decision defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in a welterweight matchup on short notice.

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Belal Muhammad Labels Champion Leon Edwards As His ‘Easiest Fight’ & Sees ‘Weaknesses’ All Through Welterweight Shark Tank

Belal Muhammad recently claimed that reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards would be a walk in the park for him, suggesting that the division has lost its edge and currently lacks competitiveness. “Remember the Name” is gearing up to challenge Edwards in a highly anticipated rematch for the title in the main event of UFC […]

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Belal Muhammad recently claimed that reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards would be a walk in the park for him, suggesting that the division has lost its edge and currently lacks competitiveness.

“Remember the Name” is gearing up to challenge Edwards in a highly anticipated rematch for the title in the main event of UFC 304, scheduled for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

Muhammad went on an impressive 10-fight unbeaten streak to secure his long-awaited shot at UFC gold, a goal he has been vocally pursuing for quite some time. During his journey, the 36-year-old Illinois native defeated notable opponents such as Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson.

Muhammad’s win streak has skyrocketed his confidence, leading him to view the divisional champ as a mere stepping stone…

Muhammad Exudes Assurance Ahead of Edwards Rematch

During a recent interview with Arab News, “Remember the Name” shared his thoughts on his upcoming clash with Edwards. He argued that the welterweight division is sorely lacking in competitiveness and confidently asserted that facing “Rocky” would be his most straightforward bout yet.

“I see weaknesses in a lot of these guys,” Muhammad said. “I don’t think there are going to be easy fights, but looking at this division, Leon is my easiest fight.”

Muhammad further emphasized that his extensive experience and relentless pursuit of improvement will be his greatest assets in the upcoming bout on July 27.

“I’ve had the highest highs and the lowest lows. After every fight, I analyze what I did wrong. I train year-round to be a better fighter. I really think I’m behind a lot of these guys. So I’ve always had that mentality that I’m behind and have to keep learning, growing, and getting better. And I think that’s what separates me from the rest. Every single fight, I come as a different fighter.”

Muhammad initially faced Edwards in a short-notice bout during a UFC Fight Night main event in March 2021. Unfortunately, an accidental eye poke in the second round forced Muhammad to withdraw, resulting in the fight being declared a no-contest.

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Jorge Masvidal Predicts Winner Between Usman and Edwards

Jorge Masvidal has predicted the winner of the UFC 278’s Main Event, having a unique perspective given that he has spent 26 minutes in the cage with Usman and served Leon Edwards a now infamous three-piece and soda. Edwards faces the Welterweight…

Jorge Masvidal has predicted the winner of the UFC 278’s Main Event, having a unique perspective given that he has spent 26 minutes in the cage with Usman and served Leon Edwards a now infamous three-piece and soda. Edwards faces the Welterweight Champion in a rematch almost seven years in the making. The two first…

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