Joaquin Buckley wants to win the title with Stephen Thompson's victory

SALT LAKE CITY – Joaquin Buckley doesn't think the UFC welterweight title is far away, especially if everything goes well this weekend.

Buckley, who is 4-0 since dropping down to 170 pounds in 2023, believes a win over former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson this Saturday at UFC 307 will put him in title contention. Buckley (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) respects what Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) has done in his career, but sees it as another step toward his ultimate Goal.

“Right now he's definitely going to be someone who gets my name out there, so you could call him a gatekeeper,” Buckley told reporters at UFC 307 media day on Wednesday. “He’s definitely been at the highest level for a long time. This is actually the lowest rank he has ever achieved, but at the end of the day I can't tell his story. I can only do mine. But at the end of the day I feel like this win will definitely put me in a position to fight for the title one day.”

Even at 41, Thompson is still considered one of the most difficult fighters in the division due to his unusual karate style. Buckley admits it wasn't easy preparing for Wonderboy, but he's confident he can do the job.

“It was hard to find a similar training partner,” Buckley said. “I went to Austin, Texas to train with Raymond Daniels, but that training and sparring never happened. I was a little depressed because there is no one else who can replicate my style other than the person I went to train with. But then I thought about it: ‘Who is he training to imitate me?’ At the end of the day, it’s going to be about who has the best version and style to raise their hand.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 307 event hub.