Tag: Joaquin Buckley

UFC on ABC 1: Make your predictions for Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 event in Abu Dhabi.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ABC 1 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ABC 1 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on ABC and ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the five main card fights below.

MMA Junkie’s 2020 ‘Knockout of the Year’: Joaquin Buckley hits viral move for the ages

Here are the top four honorable mentions and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Year” award for 2020.

With another action-packed year of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie takes a look at the best knockouts from January to December. Here are the top five and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Year” award for 2020.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice for “Knockout of the Year.”

UFC in 2020: A ridiculously robust look at the stats, streaks, skids, and records

Check out a full recap of 2020’s most significant footnotes and milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.

Now that the year has come to a close, and with a major assist from UFC research analyst and live statistics producers Michael Carroll, here are some of 2020’s most significant milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.

Joaquin Buckley vs. Alessio Di Chirico added to UFC Fight Night on Jan. 16

Joaquin Buckley will look to keep his momentum rolling when he makes another quick turnaround against Alessio Di Chirico on Jan. 16.

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] will look to keep his momentum rolling when he makes another quick turnaround.

MMA Junkie has learned that Buckley (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will face [autotag]Alessio Di Chirico[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Jan. 16, which takes place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Two people with knowledge of the booking informed MMA Junkie of the plans but requested anonymity as the UFC has yet to make a formal announcement.

After dropping his UFC debut to Kevin Holland on short notice in August, Buckley rebounded with one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history when he scored a spinning back kick finish of Impa Kasanganay at UFC Fight Night 179. He turned right back around just over a month later when he notched his second straight “Performance of the Night” knockout over another formerly unbeaten fighter in Jordan Wright at UFC 255.

Italy’s Di Chirico will look to snap a three-fight losing skid, in which he most recently dropped a unanimous decision to Zak Cummings at UFC Fight Night 175 in August. Prior to the current slide, Di Chirico scored back-to-back wins over Oluwale Bamgbose and Julian Marquez.

With the addition, the Jan. 16 lineup includes:

  • Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar
  • Sara McMann vs. Julianna Pena
  • Mike Grundy vs. Nik Lentz
  • Brian Kelleher vs. Ricky Simon
  • Jacob Kilburn vs. Austin Lingo
  • Carlos Felipe vs. Justin Tafa
  • Punahele Soriano vs. Dusko Todorovic
  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Rodolfo Vieira
  • Bethe Correia vs. Wu Yanan
  • Christian Aguilera vs. Warlley Alves
  • Omari Akhmedov vs. Tom Breese
  • Ramazan Emeev vs. David Zawada
  • Phil Hawes vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Joaquin Buckley vs. Alessio Di Chirico

Viral UFC star Joaquin Buckley still happy to work at Walgreens even after two bonuses

Joaquin Buckley has a plan, and back-to-back $50,000 bonuses aren’t enough for him to quit working at Walgreens.

Despite his recent viral success as a UFC fighter, [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] isn’t ready to quit his job at Walgreens.

Buckley (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who collected $50,000 bonuses for his mid-air spinning back kick finish of Impa Kasanganay at UFC on ESPN+ 37, as well as his knockout against previously unbeaten Jordan Wright last week at UFC 255, isn’t planning on leaving his night shift at Walgreens just yet.

“Besides the UFC, and they give me these big checks, I still don’t have a business of my own, so I need to just keep working and still having that working mentality and work ethic, so I’m just gonna keep holding down the job,” Buckley told TMZ. “Now if I’m able to make a business for myself and start up a business for myself, which I think is a perfect opportunity to try and start right now.

“We are starting up a clothing apparel line, a solid foundation, so a lot of people can follow that on Instagram, @solidfoundation_shop. But besides that, we’re still gonna work at our Walgreens. Until my business is off the ground, we’re still gonna be working with Walgreens.”

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Though Buckley previously mentioned that he’d like to eventually focus full time on fighting, he’s happy to continue working while training. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Buckley said he had intentions of moving up the ranks at Walgreens and how corporate wanted to sit down and talk with him.

The rising contender is already aiming for yet another quick turnaround and wants to settle some beef with James Krause next at UFC 257 on Jan. 23.

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UFC 255 medical suspensions: Alex Perez, Jennifer Maia among nine with potential six-month shutdowns

A total of nine fighters are facing potential six-month shutdowns after their UFC 255 fights, including two from atop the card.

A total of nine fighters are facing potential six-month shutdowns after their UFC 255 fights, including the two who fell short in title bouts atop the card.

[autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] (24-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC) needs an X-ray to clear his right hand, otherwise he’ll be suspended for 180 days after his submission loss to flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in the main event this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

And [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag] (18-7-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) is looking at a potential six-month sit, as well, following her decision loss to women’s flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko (20-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the co-feature. Maia can return quicker if a nasal fracture is cleared by a doctor, but will be out a minimum of 45 days with 30 days of no contact.

MMA Junkie on Monday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Other fighters facing possible six-month medical suspensions unless they get cleared for earlier returns are [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag] (9-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) following her loss to Katlyn Chookagian; [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) after his TKO loss to Brandon Moreno; [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) after his knockout of [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]; [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC) following her TKO loss to Antonina Shevchenko; [autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 3-3-1 UFC) after his decision win over [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]; and [autotag]Alan Jouban[/autotag] (17-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) after his decision win over [autotag]Jared Gooden[/autotag].

The full list of UFC 255 medical suspensions includes:

  • Alex Perez: Needs X-ray and clearance of right hand, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • Jennifer Maia: Needs clearance of nasal fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to a right knee injury.
  • [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to contusions.
  • Cynthia Calvillo: Needs clearance of right shoulder with MRI, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Brandon Royval: Needs clearance of right shoulder with MRI, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Joaquin Buckley: Needs clearance of right shoulder with X-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • Jordan Wright: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Ariane Lipski: Needs clearance of orbital fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Nicolas Dalby: Needs clearance of right foot and right elbow with X-rays, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Daniel Rodriguez: Needs clearance of right hand with X-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Alan Jouban: Needs clearance of nasal bone fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Jared Gooden: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to cuts.
  • [autotag]Louis Cosce[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.

UFC 255 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total nears $37 million

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 255 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $275,000.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 255 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $275,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 255 took place at UFC Apex. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

The full UFC 255 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Antonina Shevchenko[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Alan Jouban[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Jared Gooden[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Louis Cosce[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,939,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $36,994,000

UFC 255 bonuses: Entertaining upstarts take ‘Fight of the Night’

The curtain-jerker turned into a barnburner, then “Fight of the Night” was already settled.

UFC 255 was proof that anyone from the opening bout to the top of the card can go home with an extra $50,000.

As is custom, four competitors are going home with post-fight bonuses thanks to their efforts in the cage at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Saturday’s event featured a “Fight of the Night” award and two “Performance of the Night” efforts.

A look at the evening’s bonus winners, kicking off with “Fight of the Night” from the evening’s curtain jerker:

UFC 255: Joaquin Buckley post-fight interview

UFC 255: Joaquin Buckley post-fight interview

UFC 255: Joaquin Buckley post-fight interview

UFC 255 results: Joaquin Buckley KOs Jordan Wright with brutal onslaught

Viral star Joaquin Buckley picked up where he left off with a brutal finish of Jordan Wright at UFC 255.

Viral star [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] picked up where he left off on Saturday with a brutal finish of [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] at UFC 255.

Just over one month after he scored the probable “Knockout of the Year” with a one-legged spinning back kick, Buckley (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) made the quick turnaround to fight Wright (11-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and attempt to continue his momentum.

Buckley did just that, finding a home with his heavy hands in the opening moments of the second round to drop and stop Wright just 18 seconds into the frame.

The middleweight bout was part of the UFC 255 preliminary card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN2/ESPN+ ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

Buckley applied pressure on Wright from the opening bell of the first round. He had some good moments, and nearly got the finish at the end of the frame. Wright showed his toughness, though, and survived to the end of the round.

When the fight resumed in the second, however, Buckley charged with more hard strikes and landed a hard right hand to Wright’s head that knocked him out.

After his finish, Buckley told UFC commentator Joe Rogan he wants to make his grudge match with James Krause happen next.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 255 results include:

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