New Beast in the Welterweight Division: How Joaquin Buckley Dismantled Colby Covington
The MMA world is still buzzing about that night in December when Joaquin Buckley put on an absolute clinic against one of the welterweight division’s most polarizing figures. If you missed it (where were you?), Buckley thoroughly dismantled former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington, extending his impressive winning streak to six fights and announcing himself as a serious title contender.
I’ve been covering this sport for years, and let me tell you – this wasn’t just a win. This was a statement.
The Breakdown: How Buckley Silenced “Chaos”
From the opening bell, Buckley looked like a man with a mission. Covington, known for his relentless pressure and cardio, found himself consistently beaten to the punch by Buckley’s lightning-fast combinations. The footwork was masterful – Buckley controlled distance like he had Covington on a string.
What impressed me most was Buckley’s takedown defense. Covington, an accomplished wrestler, landed just 2 of 13 takedown attempts. When he did get Buckley down, “New Mansa” popped right back up, making Covington’s wrestling advantage practically nonexistent.
The Numbers Tell the Story
| Fighter | Significant Strikes | Takedowns | Control Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 127 of 189 (67%) | 0 of 0 | 0:42 |
| Colby Covington | 78 of 210 (37%) | 2 of 13 (15%) | 1:38 |
The stats don’t lie. Buckley didn’t just win – he dominated in every aspect of the fight. Covington, usually the one drowning opponents with volume, found himself on the receiving end of a striking masterclass.
Six Straight Wins: Buckley’s Remarkable Welterweight Run
What makes Buckley’s victory even more impressive is that it caps off a six-fight win streak that has transformed him from middleweight prospect to welterweight contender. Since dropping down to 170 pounds, Buckley has looked like a completely different fighter – faster, more powerful, and with improved cardio.
His recent victims include:
- Colby Covington (UD)
- Vicente Luque (KO)
- Alex Morono (TKO)
- Andre Fialho (KO)
- Tony Ferguson (KO)
- Albert Duraev (TKO)
That’s an insane list of scalps. When you’re finishing guys like Luque and dominating former champions like Covington, you’re not just climbing the rankings – you’re kicking the door down.
What’s Next for “New Mansa”?
The win over Covington has catapulted Buckley into title contention. Currently sitting at #5 in the welterweight rankings, he’s positioned himself perfectly for either a title eliminator or potentially even a direct shot at gold.
The champion Belal Muhammad has been watching closely. In a recent interview, Muhammad acknowledged Buckley as a “dangerous contender” and admitted that a matchup between them would be “explosive.”
Personally, I’d love to see Buckley take on Shavkat Rakhmonov next. Two of the division’s hottest streaks colliding? Sign me up yesterday.
The Evolution of Joaquin Buckley
Remember when Buckley was just “that guy with the spinning back kick KO”? Those days are long gone. What we’re witnessing is the evolution of a complete fighter who’s figured out his optimal weight class and is now putting it all together.
His striking has always been explosive, but his wrestling defense, gas tank, and fight IQ have improved dramatically. Against Covington – a fighter known for breaking opponents mentally – Buckley remained composed throughout all five rounds.
You can’t teach that kind of poise under pressure.
The Welterweight Division Has Been Put on Notice
With his dismantling of Covington, Buckley has proven he belongs among the welterweight elite. This isn’t just another contender – this is a fighter with the skills, mindset, and momentum to potentially wear gold.
The welterweight division is stacked with killers, but Buckley’s combination of power, speed, and newfound technical prowess makes him a nightmare matchup for anyone at 170 pounds.
What do you think about Buckley’s championship prospects? Is he the man to beat at welterweight? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below!
I’ll be back next week breaking down the latest from the octagon. Until then, keep those guards up!
Source link