Welterweight is a division in transition and Joaquin Buckley appears to be like to be a part of that.
Taking over divisional staple Colby Covington this weekend, “New Mansa” appears to be like to have his names included with the Shavkat Rakmonov’s, Ian Garry’s, and Jack Della Maddelena’s of the world. A win would do exactly that.
This weekend will characterize a brand new push at welterweight, one which goals to maneuver on from the outdated guard into the brand new. A win would put Buckley’s identify proper in that blend.
Joaquin Buckley and the brand new guard
Lengthy has the outdated guard reigned within the UFC’s welterweight division. Names like Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal have dominated the highest. However lately issues have modified. The division is shifting on.
Joaquin Buckley has discovered success since shifting right down to 170 from his outdated class of 185. However success has been there for different athletes. Shavkat Rakhmonov simply beat Ian Garry at UFC 310. Earlier than that, he grew to become the primary to complete Stephen Thompson, a feat Buckley would quickly match.
Ian Garry has had his comeuppance as properly. He’s beat Neil Magny, Geoff Neal and Michael Web page earlier than the Rakhmonov loss. Jack Della Maddelena has beat Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland. Sean Brady beat Burns and Kelvin Gastelum.
We’re seeing a disposal of the outdated for the brand new. However the elite haven’t been featured in that. The Usman-Covington-Edwards spherical robin hasn’t been dethroned outdoors of Belal Muhammad’s win over Edwards, no small feat.
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No one can combat ceaselessly. However for the Covington’s and Usman’s on the high of the heap, we will see fighters outstaying their usefulness. Covington and Usman aren’t the true quantity three and 6 contenders. However they’ve procrastinated their approach to staying gone their welcome.
Joaquin Buckley has the chance to get a profession finest win and put himself in with that subsequent era of welterweight champions. A win over Covington provides him one thing else.
Is Colby Covington washed? Most probably. He’s 36 and properly previous his prime. He appeared horrible in opposition to Leon Edwards, which was his final combat, practically two years in the past. However he’s not there within the eyes of many followers.
A win over Colby Covington, who has solely misplaced to champions since 2016, continues to be high quality when it comes to identify constructing. Joaquin Buckley could make an announcement not like anybody else. Make an announcement: Neglect Shavkat, Jack Della, Ian Garry. That is “New Mansa’s” division.