UFC 307 in Edmonton delivered a brutal shock for MMA fans. Joaquin Buckley, the American with a solid record, was knocked out in just two rounds by Mike Malott. A result that marks a turning point in his career and raises questions about his future in the promotion.
A fight that turned in an instant
From the opening minutes, the fight looked close. Buckley, known for his aggression and resilience, held his own against Malott in a balanced first round. But fate had other plans: an unintentional knee to the face, following a foot feint, was enough to seal the fight’s outcome. The impact was lightning-fast, sending Buckley to the canvas and ending a bout that had seemed undecided.
A statistic that sends chills down the spine
For Buckley, this KO is all the more striking as he hadn’t suffered a knockout loss in nearly four years. A statistic that underscores the violence of Malott’s strike and reminds us just how thin the line between victory and defeat can be in the Octagon. A brutal reality that Buckley had to face after the fight.
Hot take: a fighter’s bitterness
On his new Kick channel, Buckley reviewed the sequence live, visibly in shock. His words were unequivocal: "I’ve never been knocked out like that", he said before adding, bitterly: "That son of a bitch put me to sleep for real." A rare admission from a fighter who, until now, had boasted of never having been "slept" despite his previous losses. A reaction that sparked numerous responses within the MMA community.
This KO in Edmonton once again highlights the brutality of MMA and the unpredictability of results. For Buckley, the time has now come for reflection: after three consecutive losses, his future in the UFC could be in question. As for Malott, this unexpected victory could well mark the start of a new momentum in his career.