Joaquin Buckley revealed he expects to be cut from UFC if he loses at UFC 328, placing immense pressure on his upcoming bout. The welterweight contender views the fight as make-or-break for his contract status. Buckley's aggressive style has fans invested, but recent results have him fighting for survival. This adds drama to the card and welterweight landscape. Victory could lead to ranked opponent next.
Reports emerged ahead of UFC 328 that Joaquin Buckley believes his UFC contract is on the line when he competes at the event on May 9, though the claim has not been officially confirmed by the promotion.
According to the report, Buckley himself has voiced the expectation that a loss would result in him being cut, framing the bout as a defining moment in his UFC career. The 32-year-old American southpaw, who trains out of Murcielago MMA, carries a professional record of 21-8 and currently sits ranked eleventh in the welterweight division. Standing five-foot-ten with a 76-inch reach, Buckley has built a reputation on his aggressive, high-volume striking, averaging 3.88 significant strikes landed per minute. He also contributes on the grappling side, recording 1.54 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a reasonably well-rounded threat profile despite a striking accuracy of 36 percent.
The welterweight contender has drawn a strong fanbase through highlight-reel finishes, but recent results have reportedly placed his roster spot in jeopardy heading into this weekend's card.
Why it matters
- A win could earn Buckley a matchup against a higher-ranked welterweight, boosting his position in the top ten
- A loss, per his own reported assessment, may end his run with the promotion entirely
- His southpaw, pressure-based style guarantees action, but the added stakes raise the drama considerably
- The outcome carries real implications for the shape of the 170-pound division's contender pool
Saturday, May 9, 2026
