The UFC welterweight division is stuck in a frustrating stalemate, and Joaquin Buckley has had enough. ‘We’re all just wasting time,’ he declares, calling out the lack of action in a division that should be buzzing with excitement. But here’s where it gets controversial: Buckley isn’t just pointing fingers at his fellow fighters—he’s taking aim at the entire system. Let’s break it down.
After a stellar 2024 that saw Buckley dominate with four wins, his 2025 was a stark contrast, featuring just one fight—a decision loss to Kamaru Usman in June. Since then, the No. 9 ranked welterweight has been sidelined, watching as the division seemingly grinds to a halt. Frustrated, Buckley took to social media to air his grievances, demanding that fighters and matchmakers step up their game. ‘The division is on standby,’ he insists, and it’s hard to argue with his assessment.
In a fiery rant, Buckley called out several top contenders, painting a picture of a division more focused on distractions than fighting. ‘You’ve got Islam playing wrestle ball, Prates partying, Morales twerking, and JDM still at home crying,’ he said, not holding back. He even took a jab at Leon Edwards for going missing and Belal Muhammad for focusing on side hustles. ‘What’s going on with the welterweight division?’ Buckley asked. ‘We need to get things moving. This isn’t a joke—this is real.’
And this is the part most people miss: Buckley isn’t alone in his frustration. Michael ‘Venom’ Page has been vocal about the same issues since joining the UFC, even opting to fight at middleweight due to the lack of welterweight opponents. When he finally insisted on a 170-pound fight, the best the UFC could offer was unranked Sam Patterson. It’s a glaring example of the division’s deeper problems.
So, who does Buckley want to fight? In a follow-up video, he suggested Jack Della Maddalena, currently ranked No. 1, as the perfect opponent. It’s a strategic move—a win against Jack would catapult Buckley into title contention. But here’s the catch: this is exactly the problem with the division. Everyone is chasing the biggest possible fight, avoiding risks, and waiting for their shot at the title. No one wants to ‘fight down,’ and everyone’s trying to stay on Islam Makhachev’s radar. Is this the fighters’ fault, or is the system broken?
While it’s easy to blame the fighters, the UFC’s structure encourages this behavior. At some point, the organization’s leadership needs to step in and make fights happen. But will they? We’ve been discussing this issue for years, and yet, nothing has changed. Still, Buckley’s call to action is a refreshing wake-up call. As we look ahead to 2026, the question remains: Can the welterweight division break free from its stagnation, or will it continue to waste time? What do you think? Is Buckley right, or is he missing the bigger picture? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
