Joaquin Buckley thinks Shavkat Rakhmonov is overrated.
Buckley (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) takes pleasure in calling himself the Kill Cliff FC killer, after wins over Impa Kasanganay, Andre Fialho, and Vicente Luque.
With Jack Della Maddalena sidelined resulting from harm, Buckley known as out Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) for a struggle in August, however he was instantly dismissed by the undefeated contender. Rakhmonov is touted to probably be welterweight champion Belal Muhammad’s first title protection, and Buckley picks Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) to beat him.
“First off, I’ve shouted out that Shavkat has by no means been pretty much as good as folks declare,” Buckley instructed Inside Preventing. “The explanation I say that with a lot confidence is as a result of when he had the chance to struggle me, he didn’t take it. When the (Jack Della Maddalena) struggle pulled out for him, I instructed him I will probably be prepared to struggle him in the identical place, on the identical date he was going to struggle JDM and he declined. Guys don’t understand you can not wait on a chance to get a title. It’s a must to simply hold placing in work – as a result of the UFC makes these choices, you don’t.
“Let’s say I fought Shavkat and he occurred to win and beat me. Increase: Simple. Little doubt, proper there they most likely would have gave it to him, however as a result of he knew there was a danger that I’ve beat nearly all of his teammates that he trains with, that sure, that we’ve acquired the quantity on the entire Kill Cliff clan over there. So I simply don’t assume Shavkat is pretty much as good as folks declare. However you understand, I really feel like he undoubtedly going to get uncovered finally. If that’s not by me, that’s undoubtedly going to be by Belal.”
After profitable his first 4 fights at welterweight within the UFC, Buckley will look to emerge as a prime contender when he faces Stephen Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) Oct. 5 within the featured prelim of UFC 307 at Delta Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis.
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