Joaquin Buckley isn’t about to sit back and bask in the buzz after producing one of the most electrifying moments in UFC history. Instead, he’s getting right back to work.
Buckley, whose spinning back kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay last Saturday night at UFC on ESPN+ 37 had the MMA world debating where it places among the all-time great finishes, will meet undefeated Jordan Wright at UFC 255. MMA Junkie confirmed the booking following a Thursday report by UFC broadcast partner ESPN.
Buckley (11-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) earned his eighth career knockout and first UFC victory with the win over Kasanganay, bouncing back from a TKO loss to Kevin Holland in his UFC debut. The highlight went viral, even to the point that Kanye West used it on loop to release a new song.
Wright (11-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), meanwhile, also brings a finisher’s touch to the fight. All 11 of his professional wins are finishes, 10 in the first round, including his doctor stoppage TKO of Ike Villanueva in his UFC debut on August 22.
KO of the Year!
Go all angles on @NewMansa94‘s masterpiece
[ #UFCFightIsland5 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/1ywVZzin5U— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2020
UFC 255 will be held Nov. 21 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card features both flyweight champions, with men’s titleholder Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Alex Perez and women’s champ Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia.