Perennial finisher Joaquin Buckley stepped back inside The APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday night determined to score his second win in 2023.
Making his 11th walk to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 80, Buckley squared off with surging standout Alex Morono. Buckley entered the contest a winner in three of his last five outings, including a victory in his most recent outing against Andre Fialho in May. Standing in his way of another W was Morono, a rising welterweight with wins in five of his last six matchups.
Round 1
Buckley came out guns blazing and put Morono on the mat early, but Morono was able to pop back up and create some separation between the two before things settled down. Taking to the center of the Octagon, both men sized up one another. Just before the two-minute mark, Buckley landed a big right hand that clipped Morono, knocking him off balance. Buckley takes a much more measured approach despite his furious start to the round.
Buckley rushes in with a flurry of strikes, but Morono is able to avoid the danger. Pressed against the fence, Morono circles out and returns to the center of the cage. Buckley throws a flying knee that misses. With less than a minute to go, Buckley moves in quickly and lands a very nice double-leg takedown, but puts himself in danger of being arm-barred. Buckley defends the submission, but it allows Morono to bounce back up without absorbing any damage on the ground.
Buckley rushes in again looking for a takedown, but Morono jumps guard looking for a guillotine. Buckley slams Morono to the mat just as the round comes to a close.
Round 2
Buckley comes out throwing a head kick in the opening seconds, but briefly hits the canvas after losing his balance. Buckley pops back up and resumes putting the pressure on Morono. A straight left to the body lands for Buckley. A three-punch combination from Buckley partially lands. Morono fires back with a body kick. Buckley pressures Morono to the fence, but Morono does an excellent job of dodging the danger. Buckley backs off and fires a body kick that Morono clearly doesn’t like.
Morono fires off a body kick followed by a right. Buckley counters with a stiff left hand upstairs. Buckley lands another solid left before moving in and clinching with Morono against the cage wall. With 10 seconds to go in the second, Buckley separates and looks to land something big, but time expires before he can attempt to do so.
Round 3
Buckley comes out swinging in the opening seconds and busts Morono’s mouth open with a nasty left hook at the end of a power combination. Buckley goes downstairs with the calf kick. A straight left from Buckley lands. Morono’s offense begins to slow as Buckley lands a big body kick. Morono attempts to fire back but is unable to muster strength.
Morono manages to drag Buckley to the canvas, but with his gas tank depleted, Buckley pops back up with relative ease and continues his relentless pursuit of Morono. With little left to give, Morono shoots for a half-hearted takedown attempt and ends on his back. Buckley settles into Morono’s guard and is content to pummel his opponent with a series of ground-and-pound strikes with a minute to go in the round.
Morono fishes for a submission from the bottom prompting Buckley to stand up. With mere seconds left, the two men end up on the mat once again with Buckley reigning down strikes as the final horn sounds.
Official Result: Joaquin Buckley def. Alex Morono via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Check Out Highlights From Joaquin Buckley vs. Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 80 Below:
Rate Joaquin Buckley's moves on a scale of 1-10 😂🕺#UFCVegas80 pic.twitter.com/AgAgRPoz1j
— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) October 8, 2023
An absolutely vicious slam to end the round by Joaquin Buckley! 😤#UFCVegas80 pic.twitter.com/aev14LVeUv
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 8, 2023
Joaquin Buckley is ready for WWE @TKOGrp #UFCVegas80 pic.twitter.com/HaLendgsVn
— Nina-Marie Daniele (@ninamdrama) October 8, 2023
🚨 Joaquin Buckley🇺🇸 remporte le combat sur décision unanime face à Alex Morono🇺🇸 #UFCVegas80
(30-27×2, 30-26) pic.twitter.com/ru8QI9f7kV— MMA EMPIRE ⚔️ (@LempireMMA) October 8, 2023
Impressive win, main event call, and a few nice dance moves?!? Heck of a performance from Joaquin Buckley (@Newmansa94) here at #UFCVegas80. pic.twitter.com/S30EVkCe5D
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) October 8, 2023
