Joaquin Buckley recently expressed strong frustration over the current inactivity within the UFC welterweight division, singling out fighters such as Islam Makhachev, Ian Machado Garry, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales. Buckley’s comments came after his unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta last June, highlighting his disappointment with the division’s slow pace. The UFC welterweight division inactivity has become a focal point as top contenders appear sidelined or inactive despite recent events.
Islam Makhachev claimed the 170-pound championship by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November, while Ian Machado Garry earned a title shot by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar last November. Meanwhile, Michael Morales secured a first-round knockout over Sean Brady at UFC 322 and maintains an undefeated 19-0 record, raising debates about who deserves the next title opportunity.
Despite these developments, Buckley criticized many fighters for their perceived lack of engagement in preparing or fighting, as Makhachev awaits his next challenger. In a video posted on social media, he stated:
“Right now, the division is on standstill. This is crazy. Look, the matchmakers know their job; they know better than me. Right now, they got the hottest division and ain’t nobody fighting. You got Islam [Makhachev] out there playing Wrestleball. You got [Carlos] Prates out there partying and clubbing. You got [Michael] Morales out there twerking and twirling.”
He also added further criticism of other fighters in the division:
“You got JDM still at the house crying. You got Leon [Edwards] missing, again. You got Belal [Muhammad] trying to sell warm meals. You got Ian Garry watching in the corner. Boy, I don’t know what’s going on… We gotta get things active. And Shavkat [Rakhmonov] gone.”
Buckley Questions Islam Makhachev’s Future After Potential Usman Bout
Following Kamaru Usman’s remarks hinting at a possible title shot against Islam Makhachev, Joaquin Buckley weighed in on what could come next for the champion. In a December interview on Submission Radio, Buckley expressed skepticism about Makhachev’s longevity in the UFC welterweight division if he were to defeat Usman. He remarked:
“Whoever wins that fight between Islam vs. Kamaru can get out of here, because if Usman wins, he’s one and done, because he said he’s moving to get that title against Khamzat for the rematch. If Islam wins, he said he’s gonna hold it down for a long time, but I don’t believe that. If Islam gets the fight that he wants, that means not only did you submit your name at lightweight over your brother Khabib, but then you also got the double champ status, and then you also beat a GOAT in Usman. So you just pulled the Jon Jones.”
Buckley further voiced his doubts about Makhachev’s ability to thrive consistently at welterweight, stating:
“What else is there to do? What else can he do? You’d be foolish to keep fighting, because to me, Islam is not a natural 170 [pound] fighter, and that will get exposed if he fights a person like myself, Ian Garry, or Michael Morales.”
Implications for the UFC Welterweight Scene and What Lies Ahead
Buckley’s comments reflect broader concerns about UFC welterweight division inactivity and the uncertainty surrounding upcoming title defenses. The division holds a mix of rising stars and established champions, yet the lack of frequent bouts threatens to stall momentum and fan engagement. Makhachev’s anticipated match against Usman, and contenders like Morales and Garry pushing for opportunities, could determine the division’s direction.
The division’s current standstill could disrupt competitive balance and delay promising matchups, potentially affecting fighters’ careers and the UFC’s welterweight appeal. The upcoming scheduling decisions and title defenses will be crucial in revitalizing the division’s activity and satisfying fans eager for new challenges and matchups.
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