Headlining a UFC event for the third time in his career, surging contender Joaquin Buckley has made it clear that he believes he carries a distinct kind of weight as a marquee player for the organization. That self-assured stance, however, has set the stage for a war of words with his opponent, Canada’s own Mike Malott. The local favorite earlier asserted that the upcoming card is fundamentally "my show," a claim that Buckley swiftly and bluntly dismissed during Wednesday’s media day availability.
Speaking to a gathered media contingent, Buckley did not mince words when addressing Malott’s claim to the spotlight. "Mike Malott, it’s just a true story, don’t nobody know you, fam," Buckley stated. "But that’s the reason you want to fight me, though. So people do get to know who you are. And I’m not mad at it. Come and get it. But be true to yourself, be honest to yourself. Don’t be saying lies, bro. You’re trying to become the A-side."
The stylistic and promotional collision highlights the contrasting paths both men have taken to reach this prestigious main event slot. Malott has established himself as one of the prominent faces and rising stars of Canadian mixed martial arts, carrying the hopes and expectations of passionate local fans into the cage. On the other side stands Buckley, a battle-tested veteran who has spent over six years grinding within the upper echelons of the UFC.
Buckley’s tenure with the promotion has been defined by memorable moments, none more iconic than his gravity-defying, spinning back-kick knockout in 2020, which earned widespread acclaim as the Knockout of the Year and instantly etched his name into combat sports history. That spectacular finish was just one milestone on a long, arduous road that has ultimately led the welterweight standout to his third career main event assignment. Reflecting on the journey, Buckley admitted that the path has required immense resilience, leaving him eager to fully appreciate the magnitude of Saturday night’s opportunity.
"The journey been long. I ain’t got all day, but I wish I would have documented the journey a long time ago," Buckley shared with reporters during his media session. "But to be where I am right now, and have three main events, I feel like it’s an opportunity that I have to really soak in. I’ve got to take in the moment."
Beyond the personal pride of headlining another major card, Buckley expressed a growing sense of responsibility that comes with being a focal point for a global audience. Having navigated the highs and lows of the sport in front of millions of viewers, the welterweight contender recognizes that his platform extends far beyond athletic competition. He views his current position as a chance to impart lessons learned from years of trial and error, both inside and outside the cage.
"I’ve got a responsibility of how I show up, and what I do and what I say," Buckley explained. "Along this journey I’ve learned so much about myself, I’ve learned so much about this game, and now I’m just realizing, I don’t just have a gift of fighting, but I have a gift of a voice, and I’m gonna use it now."
Despite his confidence and experience in high-profile slots, Buckley enters Saturday night’s card in Edmonton carrying the unfamiliar status of a betting underdog, regardless of the ongoing debate over who truly commands the A-side status of the booking. His recent path has included high-profile bouts against elite divisional competition, resulting in setbacks against top-tier contenders Sean Brady and Kamaru Usman.
While losses at the highest level of professional fighting are difficult for any athlete to digest, Buckley maintains a grounded perspective shaped by life experiences far beyond the confines of the Octagon. Having faced and overcome adversity in previous instances throughout his career, he views athletic defeats not as catastrophic failures, but as minor hurdles compared to the profound battles he has conquered in his personal life.
"I took losses. This right here, when you talk about fighting and career wise, that’s not my biggest loss," Buckley reflected. "My biggest losses that I had in life are the real triumphs, are the real stories, are the real battles that I got through. This right here is like, I’m privileged to go out there and do what I do whether win, lose, or in between. I get to go out there and show people in the world my gift and my talent, and get to tell them exactly why I’m doing it."
As the hours tick down to fight night in Edmonton, the verbal sparring between Buckley and Malott adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already pivotal welterweight showdown. Whether Buckley can leverage his veteran main-event experience to silence the partisan crowd or if Malott can capitalize on the biggest moment of his career to claim the spotlight remains to be settled under the bright lights of the Octagon.
