Joaquin Buckley interview UFC Atlanta against Kamaru Usman

Joaquin Buckley is considered one of UFC’s brightest younger stars and his present trajectory lends itself to changing into a champion, a title that he isn’t shy about coveting. His confidence in himself and his real respect for opponents work in tandem to encourage Buckley to coach like a winner however hold his ego in examine. We have been granted a possibility to talk to the St. Louis, Missouri native previous to his upcoming battle in opposition to savvy veteran Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta on June 14.

Buckley’s demeanor contained in the ring is that of an unrelenting brawler who refuses to again down however outdoors of the ring he radiates a calmly familiarity like he’s recognized you for years. We took discover of the best way he interacts with followers by way of social media movies and acquired to expertise it first hand upon assembly the 31-year-old at State Farm Area to get his ideas on this battle and the place he desires to go in his profession.

When requested about his endearing relationship together with his supporters Buckley was fast to narrate to them not as a fighter however as a fan himself.

I’m a fan myself. So, I take a look at how—if I met considered one of my favourite fighters—how would I need them to deal with me as fan. I acquired to fulfill George St. Pierre. I acquired to fulfill Rampage Jackson. I acquired to fulfill a variety of nice fighters. Some have been nice interactions. Some not one of the best. So, I attempt my finest to provide one of the best interactions. I really feel like when you do this, you present that love, they offer it proper again to you. The explanation I’m again on the primary occasion isn’t just due to my performances however as a result of folks wish to see me.

Over the course of his profession, Buckley has been outspoken about getting Black youth into MMA and extra Black followers into the arenas. He readily admits that boxing is the HNIC for a lot of Black of us on the subject of fight sports activities however he sees himself a conduit to assist deliver extra consciousness and curiosity to the game.

The extra illustration you see, the extra persons are going to gravitate towards that. Outdoors of myself we’ve undoubtedly had different Black athletes like Jon Jones, Tyron Woodley, and the checklist goes on—to actually harness that and go into the inside cites and present children that this could possibly be an avenue. If you develop up in poverty and wrestle and also you making an attempt to however your mother a home…you’re gonna go to the game that’s gonna pay you.

When it got here to the subject of Kamaru Usman, who’s coming of a year-long sabbatical, Buckley was all about his enterprise.

From the optics of the folks, it’d appear like Usman is on his approach out and I’m on my approach up however I ain’t acquired that twisted. The explanation he took that 12 months off is as a result of he wanted to work on himself and put together himself higher so when he indicators that contract, he is aware of that he’s prepared. That is going to be probably the most ready Usman that I battle. This may even be a greater Usman than the one who fought for the belt in opposition to Woodley.

If that’s certainly the case, then Joaquin Buckley has his work minimize out for him