Joaquin Buckley Says His Next UFC Fight Will Be His Last

Welterweight Joaquin Buckley said on Thursday that his next UFC fight will be his last. The 32-year-old announced the decision in a long Instagram post, five days after Mike Malott knocked him out with a knee in the second round of the UFC Edmonton main event.

Buckley did not say when the farewell bout will take place or who he will face. He asked for one more appearance in the Octagon because he "can't leave on a loss," and said he wants to step away while he can still be present and healthy for his children.

"That fight was devastating, and it really affected my family — the people that are closest to me," Buckley said. His grandmother prayed for him over the phone and told him to leave the sport. "Your mind is your biggest tool and asset, and you don't wanna lose it," she said, according to Buckley. He first resisted, then took time, prayed and concluded she was right.

A change from his first reaction

Right after the Malott loss, Buckley had said the opposite. "I'm not going to stop, I'm going to keep moving forward," he said at the time.

The knockout was his third defeat in a row, after decision losses to Kamaru Usman and Sean Brady. Before that run he had won six straight at 170 pounds, including stoppages of Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. He is 21-9 overall with 15 knockouts and 11-7 in the UFC, where his best-known moment is a spinning back kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay in 2020.

Buckley said the last camp will be done properly. "We're not cutting any corners, no shortcuts," he said, adding that he wants to make his final fight his best. He has made 18 UFC appearances over six years and said he wants to limit further damage. He also said his brother has helped him stay in shape. In the video that came with the post, he asked fans to follow his preparation on his Kick channel.

Source: MMA Mania