By Safeer MS
Joaquin Buckley kept his undefeated record in the UFC’s welterweight division intact in the co-main event of UFC St. Louis. With the victory, Buckley is now on a 4-fight winning streak at welterweight and will likely face a top 10 opponent next. On the other hand, Nursulton Ruziboev made his unsuccessful welterweight debut in the UFC after two first-round finishes at middleweight.
What’s next for Joaquin Buckley?
Joaquin Buckley called out Conor McGregor in his octagon interview with Michael Bisping but that is a fight Buckley has no chance of getting anytime soon. However, he did call out Gilbert Burns in the post-fight press conference which seems to be a valid callout. Buckley had already beaten Burns’ best friend and teammate Vicente Luque via TKO at UFC Atlantic City. With his impressive striking and improving grappling, Buckley could prove to be a nightmare for Burns who is a former title challenger at welterweight.
Burns is also the highest-ranked opponent Buckley could fight next. The Brazilian is ranked 6th and if Burns is not ready for Buckley, fighters ranked from 7-10 like Ian Garry, Geoff Neal, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson are also an option. If victorious against a top 10 opponent in his next fight, it would put him in a potential number one contender fight next. The American has not showcased any form of weakness since his move to welterweight. Therefore, a fight against a tough grappler like Burns would reveal what Buckley is made of.
What’s next for Nursulton Ruziboev?
Nursulton Ruziboev is 6’5” tall which is an anomaly for a welterweight. From his body language, it was evident that he had to cut a huge amount of weight to make the welterweight limit. At middleweight, Ruziboev looked like a terminator as evidenced by his first-round finishes. Against Buckley, Ruziboev was not able to physically impose his strength. It might be due to the weight cut. Ruziboev could beat some fighters at welterweight but he shouldn’t stay there for health and professional reasons.
Ruziboev would have great success at middleweight. He won’t have to cut an extra 15lbs in the division. Moreover, the division also does not have strong grapplers who could negate his grappling. The Uzbek has the skill set to match up well against fighters in the rankings at middleweight. However, in his next fight, he should fight someone just outside the rankings. If he has an easier matchup in that fight, he should target a top-10 opponent. If not, a top 15.
