Joaquin Buckley calls out Islam Makhachev: “I will be the worst nightmare…” Is the UFC Octagon About to Explode?

Joaquin Buckley has never been one to hold back his words, and with the UFC welterweight division undergoing a seismic shift, the surging contender has set his sights high — specifically on former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is preparing for his debut at 170 pounds.

Buckley, currently ranked No. 7 at welterweight, believes he poses the toughest stylistic challenge for Makhachev, even more so than newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena (JDM). While the UFC has yet to officially announce a fight for Makhachev, speculation is swirling that he could receive an immediate title shot — a move Buckley sees as premature and dangerous.

Islam Makhachev: From Lightweight Dominance to Welterweight Ambition

Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) recently vacated the UFC lightweight belt, ending his dominant reign that began in 2022 after a stunning submission win over Charles Oliveira. His back-to-back wins over Alexander Volkanovski cemented his legacy as one of the pound-for-pound greats. However, having cleared out most of the top contenders at 155 pounds, the Dagestani grappling specialist is now chasing two-division glory.

UFC President Dana White has already hinted that Makhachev will be granted an immediate title opportunity at welterweight — most likely against Jack Della Maddalena (18-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who recently captured the title by stopping Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.

Yet while Makhachev eyes the crown, Joaquin Buckley is eyeing him.

Buckley: “I’m the Fight He Doesn’t Want”

During a fiery interview with Parry Punch, Buckley made it clear that he believes Makhachev is overlooking the wrong man in the division.

“Even though me and Islam have never had a connection, I’ll tell you right now, he’s going to know a lot about me if we ever get booked to fight,” Buckley stated. “The people that have shown a couple holes in his game? I’m going to be his worst nightmare.”

Buckley, who is riding a six-fight win streak since dropping to 170 pounds, is scheduled to headline UFC Atlanta next month against former champion Kamaru Usman. With a potential win over the “Nigerian Nightmare,” Buckley believes he’ll be impossible to ignore.

“What I did to Colby (Covington), and what I’m going to do to Kamaru Usman, Islam is going to be in his head. Even Khabib is probably going to tell his ass, ‘maybe moving up ain’t a good idea’.”

The Resume: Buckley’s Transformation at 170

Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) had an up-and-down tenure at middleweight between 2020 and 2022, where he built a reputation as a knockout artist but struggled with consistency. Since moving to welterweight, though, “New Mansa” has been a revelation.

His six straight wins at 170 have showcased improved cardio, cleaner striking, and a sharpened fight IQ. He also notably stopped Colby Covington, who many considered one of the division’s toughest outs, in a one-sided beatdown that shocked fans and critics alike.

That win alone shot Buckley into title conversation territory — and now he has Usman in his crosshairs.

Islam vs. JDM or Islam vs. Buckley?

Much of the buzz surrounding Makhachev’s jump to welterweight focuses on a high-profile clash with Jack Della Maddalena. The Aussie phenom is undefeated in the UFC and just earned the strap in emphatic fashion.

However, Buckley doesn’t see JDM as a threat to Makhachev:

“JDM has a lot of holes that Islam can exploit. And we didn’t see that with the Gilbert Burns fight or several other fights. He’s hittable and he’s flat-footed. That’s tailor-made for Islam’s game.”

While Makhachev’s suffocating ground game might neutralize JDM’s striking, Buckley argues his explosiveness, unpredictability, and improved takedown defense are exactly the tools needed to beat someone like Makhachev.

Can Buckley Back It Up?

A lot hinges on Buckley’s upcoming fight with Kamaru Usman. The former welterweight champ, while aging, remains one of the most seasoned and durable fighters in UFC history. A win for Buckley would not only cement his place as a top contender — it could leapfrog him over other welterweights like Gilbert Burns, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Belal Muhammad.

Buckley’s confidence is unshakable, and for good reason. His evolution as a fighter is undeniable. He’s no longer the flashy knockout machine with little else to offer — he’s becoming a complete martial artist.

“I want that pound-for-pound,” Buckley emphasized. “That’s my goal. I’m not here to be a gatekeeper or a stepping stone. I’m coming for the biggest fights.”

The Bigger Picture: A Stacked Welterweight Division

With names like:

• Shavkat Rakhmonov

• Belal Muhammad

• Gilbert Burns

• Leon Edwards

• Jack Della Maddalena

• Joaquin Buckley

… and now Islam Makhachev joining the mix, the UFC welterweight division may be more stacked than ever. While Makhachev brings star power and a proven skill set, moving up in weight has historically been treacherous for even the most dominant fighters.

And as Buckley is quick to remind everyone — he’s not here to be anybody’s warm-up fight.

Final Thoughts: Is Buckley vs. Makhachev the Fight to Make?

From a stylistic and narrative perspective, Joaquin Buckley vs. Islam Makhachev is a dream fight in the making.

You have:

• A powerful, unorthodox striker with a chip on his shoulder.

• A cerebral, suffocating grappler looking to make history.

• Two elite athletes on a collision course in a red-hot division.

If Buckley gets past Usman, and Makhachev claims the welterweight title — this fight sells itself.