Joaquin Buckley believes Makhachev is just passing through welterweight

One of the most interesting fighters today, 30-year-old Joaquin Buckley, made it clear that he does not believe that Islam Makhachev will have a long career in the welterweight division. While many believe that the Dagestani is ready for challenges in the new weight division, the brilliant American has a different opinion.

Ahead of his big fight against former champion Kamaru Usman, which will take place this Saturday at the UFC on ESPN 69 event in Atlanta, Buckley hopes that he will become the next legitimate challenger.

"When I beat Kamaru Usman, there's no debate, there's no doubt, there's no argument, we're next," he declared on his YouTube channel.

Makhachev against the champion? Buckley is not impressed

Although it has been confirmed that the fighter from Dagestan will soon face Jack Della Maddalena, the current welterweight champion, Buckley believes that the fight has been overblown in the media.

"And then this lightweight guy comes along who thinks he's going to take my place. No, we can't have that. The fight between JDM and Islam is not a big match. JDM is the current world champion, but I honestly believe that Islam has to wait for me to take that belt, because I'm going to be his toughest opponent."

What will happen?

Without mincing words, "New Mansa" believes that Islam has no real desire to face him seriously.

"He's not going to overwhelm me. He's not going to force me to submit," he said, before continuing:

"I've never been forced to submit in my career, and he's definitely not going to fight me on my feet. If people want to see it, the fight will be arranged."

Although the media is talking about a possible duel between Makhachev and the Australian champion, Buckley stresses that the Dagestani is just a passing fancy.

"If Islam somehow gets that opportunity and beats JDM, he won't stay in the division. He'll retire. He'll leave, he'll quit, because he knows he's not a natural fighter at 77kg, and especially when it comes to me, he'll definitely run away from someone like me."

Buckley is confident in his position and is ready to do great things. If he beats the former champion, it would be hard to argue against his words.