Joaquin Buckley broke into the UFC’s welterweight rankings with a TKO victory over Vicent Luque at UFC Atlantic City. Buckley has been on the heels of Dana White and the UFC for the main event spot at UFC St. Louis. Buckley did not get the main event spot but found a spot in the co-main event against the Uzbekistani Nursulton Ruziboev. Both Buckley and Ruziboev have fought at middleweight.
Paths to victory for Nursulton Ruziboev
Nursultan Ruziboev has only fought twice in the UFC, both at middleweight. He won both fights via TKO in the first round. Standing at 6’5”, Ruziboev is extremely tall for the middleweight division. Joaquin Buckley is 5’8” tall but has the same reach as Ruziboev. However, being a taller man, the Uzbek would be able to lean in and increase the range of his punches. Buckley has been knocked out even at middleweight. Ruziboev has the power to knock Buckley out and can do it with patience.
Buckley will be using his movement to create angles and crack punches. Moreover, he would also try to employ some type of wrestling against the significantly taller opponent. Ruziboev should employ his kicks to limit the movement of Buckley. If Buckley moves like he wants to and finds shots, it’s all over for Ruziboev. Since he is cutting down to welterweight, Ruziboev might lack in durability and cardio. Therefore, the Uzbek should lure in Buckley and crack him with a power shot to claim the victory.
Paths to victory for Joaquin Buckley
Joaquin Buckley was undersized and overpowered by opponents at middleweight. However, that is not the case at welterweight. After all, he knocked out a durable Vicente Luque via ground and pound in his latest fight. Against Buckley, Ruziboev would be cutting down to welterweight for the first time in the UFC. There is a 15lbs difference between welterweight and middleweight. Therefore, the cutdown would likely be hard for the Uzbek.
Against Ruziboev, Buckley should focus on his strengths which are movement and power. The Uzbek would be very dangerous in the first round. The onus would be on Bukley to stay safe in the first round. In the first round, Buckley should poke and prod. After that, he should slightly increase the pressure from round 2. If the fight goes halfway past round 2, Ruziboev would likely gas out. What Buckley should not be doing is staying stationary as Ruziboev can hurt him any time.
