UFC star warns Islam Makhachev will face 'worst nightmare' at welterweight

Islam makhachev (dir.) faces Jack Della Maddalena (left) for the welterweight title. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage

It seems like Jack Della Maddalena will not be the only 'problem' to be faced by Islam makhachev on his move up to welterweight. The UFC lightweight champion has received an intimidating warning from a title contender who said the Russian fighter may be about to meet his 'worst nightmare' in the new weight class.

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Following in the footsteps of his mentor, the MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is a name to beat in the UFC. The organization's pound-for-pound best fighter has defended the lightweight title four times and now has the opportunity to become a two-time champion in a match against 'JDM', who recently won the welterweight belt by defeating Islam's friend, Belal Muhammad |, at UFC 315.

However, 7th in the welterweight rankings, Joaquin buckley, believes he has what it takes to defeat Makhachev. He warned the Russian that he will have a lot of trouble if he manages to get past Della Maddalena.

“Even though Islam and I have never had a connection, he will know a lot about me if we are ever scheduled to fight. The people he has had difficulties with and the people who have shown some flaws in his game — I will be his worst nightmare, not JDM. JDM has a lot of flaws that Islam can exploit, and we saw that in the fight against Gilbert Burns, in fact, we saw that in several fights,” Buckley said.

Joaquin buckley was responsible for the UFC's 'Knockout of the Year' in 2020. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

'New Mansa's' next commitment in the octagon will be on June 14 against the former champion Kamaru Usman, at UFC Atlanta. Buckley says that after defeating the Nigerian, it will be Makhachev's turn to suffer until he regrets having moved up a division.

“But with me, and what I did with Colby covington and what am I going to do with Kamaru Usman, will stay in his head. Until Khabib Nurmagomedov will probably tell him that moving up a division is not a good idea. I want that pound-for-pound ratio,” concluded the welterweight.

Buckley is known for his trash talk. The number seven welterweight was recently involved in a controversy with his wife from 6th in the ranking, Ian Gary.