Sometimes dreams do come true.
Coming off the biggest win of his career, Joaquin Buckley campaigned for a marquee matchup in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri and he got it in the form of Uzbekistan’s Nursulton Ruziboev. “New Mansa” puts his #11 ranking on the line against the unranked Ruziboev, who makes his welterweight debut three fights into his UFC run.
The short-notice fight serves as the co-main event of UFC St. Louis, live from the Enterprise Center.
Round 1:
Buckley and Ruziboev gauge their distance in the first two minutes, not showing much activity until Buckley rushes in for a successful takedown. Buckley controls Ruziboev up against the cage. Buckley lands a few ground and pound strikes as Ruziboev gets back up to his feet. Ruziboev connects with several punches on the feet, rocking Buckley. Following a short retreat, Buckley trucks Ruziboev for a big takedown.
Ruziboev eventually finds his way back up. Buckley calls on Ruziboev to throw. Ruziboev and Buckley fire shots that don’t find their target. Buckley throws a wild combo that ends with a spinning back kick before the bell.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 2:
Buckley presses forward instantly. Buckley lands a leg kick, Ruziboev returns with a punch. Buckley shoots in for a takedown, which he gets with ease. Buckley lands shots from up top but lets Ruziboev return to his feet after backing off. Buckley defends multiple shots from Ruziboev. Buckley works to the body with a punch. Ruziboev fires a knee and Buckley swings with hooks. Side kick to the body lands for Buckley. A right hand gets through for Ruziboev.
Buckley once again finds a takedown on Ruziboev. Ruziboev and Buckley trade punches from their ground positions with Ruziboev attempting an armbar as the round ends.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 3:
Buckley knocks down Ruziboev with a combo of punches. Buckley smells blood, hunting for the finish on the ground. Ruziboev keeps him at bay with a flurry of upticks. Ruziboev gets back up to his feet. Buckley fires a combo and Ruziboev slips in the exchange with Buckley going to work with his ground and pound. Buckley pours it on with punches and elbows the face of Ruzboev to the canvas. Buckley continues until he is reversed by Ruziboev in a scramble. It’s a tough position for Buckley to be in but the St. Louis native doesn’t stay there for long, powering his way back to top position.
Ruziboev throws upkicks at the grounded Buckley with the referee pausing the action due to the illegal strikes. The fight is re-started on the feet after a warning. Buckley and Ruziboev go back to work on the feet until the final bell.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Official result: Joaquin Buckley defeats Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)
Check out the highlights below:
ALL NONSTOP ACTION FROM #UFCStLouis 💥
— UFC (@ufc) May 12, 2024
[ LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus & @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/ouxIaFZsQB
The STL kid gets the victory at home! 🙌@NewMansa94 secures the UD! #UFCStLouis pic.twitter.com/m2SmOpW3Ng
— UFC (@ufc) May 12, 2024
He's got his eyes on ONE person after tonight's victory 👀@NewMansa94 | #UFCStLouis pic.twitter.com/rPsQzc8W2a
— UFC (@ufc) May 12, 2024
Joaquin Buckley went to hug Randy Orton after his win at #UFCStLouis ❤️ pic.twitter.com/p6IUJtXwAa
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 12, 2024
