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Tag: Joaquin Buckley

  • UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    After staging its latest numbered event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas last weekend, MMA’s leading promotion will close out its 2024 schedule with a card inside the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    In the main event, the polarizing Covington makes his first appearance of 2024. 12 months on from a third failed attempt at capturing the undisputed welterweight crown, “Chaos” will look to keep his late-career title hopes alive by stalling the charge of Joaquin Buckley.

    Elsewhere, the likes of UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson, former Rizin champion Manel Kape, and heavy hitting light heavyweight Vitor Petrino will all be in action.

    Ahead of the event, all 26 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC Fight Night Tampa ceremonial weigh-ins.

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 4 PM ET.

    UFC Fight Night Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • Joaquin Buckley: Colby Covington Was ‘Scared’ To Train With Me, Is ‘Nervous’ About UFC Tampa

    Joaquin Buckley: Colby Covington Was ‘Scared’ To Train With Me, Is ‘Nervous’ About UFC Tampa

    Joaquin Buckley and Colby Covington are set to clash in the main event of UFC Tampa, and the buildup has been as intense as expected.

    Both fighters have engaged in their share of trash talk, but Buckley couldn’t help but laugh at Covington’s attempts to dismiss their history.

    According to “New Mansa,” the two once trained together at the MMA Masters gym in Florida, where he even offered to help the former interim champion prepare for a UFC title fight. However, he claims Covington avoided sparring with him.

    “It’s funny how he was scared to just train with me, and now he’s stepping in the cage with me,” Buckley said during UFC Tampa media day. “For real, Colby’s been quiet and he hasn’t been saying anything because he knows the truth. I think he’s really nervous to step in that cage with me.”

    Buckley didn’t stop there, accusing Covington of cherry-picking opponents outside his weight class.

    “He wants to fight 145-pound fighters. He wants to fight Paddy Pimblett, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira — guys that aren’t welterweights,” Buckley said. “In my opinion, this might be his last fight on his contract. I’m just assuming that. If you want to fight and it’s going to be your last one, you want to go off on top. I really feel like with that being said, he had no choice but to take this fight because it’s his last one.”

    As fight night approaches, the tension between the two headliners is palpable, setting the stage for an explosive showdown.

  • UFC Tampa Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Covington vs. Buckley, Swanson vs. Quarantillo, & More

    UFC Tampa Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Covington vs. Buckley, Swanson vs. Quarantillo, & More

    UFC Tampa is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, December 14, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former interim welterweight titleholder Colby Covington. A year on from his third failed shot at the undisputed championship, “Chaos” will look to insert himself back into the equation by stalling the charge of Joaquin Buckley.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see two veterans collide in Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo. And also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Manel Kape, Vitor Petrino, and Michael Johnson.

    UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Tampa (as of 12/13), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Colby Covington (+200) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-245)
    • Cub Swanson (+124) vs. Billy Quarantillo (-148)
    • Manel Kape (-380) vs. Bruno Silva (+300)
    • Vitor Petrino (-340) vs. Dustin Jacoby (+270)
    • Adrian Yañez (+185) vs. Daniel Marcos (-225)
    • Navajo Stirling (-750) vs. Tuco Tokkos (+525)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Michael Johnson (-230) vs. Ottman Azaitar (+190)
    • Joel Álvarez (-425) vs. Drakkar Klose (+330)
    • Sean Woodson (-155) vs. Fernando Padilla (+130)
    • Miles Johns (+200) vs. Felipe Lima (-245)
    • Miranda Maverick (-600) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (+440)
    • Davey Grant (-122) vs. Ramon Taveras (+102)
    • Josefine Knutsson (-245) vs. Piera Rodriguez (+200)
  • UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging its final numbered event of the year in Las Vegas last weekend, the mixed martial arts leader will close out its 2024 schedule with Octagon action inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

    The main event will see Colby Covington make the walk for the first time since his third failed bid to achieve undisputed champion status last December. “Chaos” will meet the charging Joaquin Buckley in a short-notice clash, with “New Mansa” look to continue his unbeaten run at 170 pounds all the way to a place in title contention.

    Before that, the likes of fan-favorite featherweight Cub Swanson, former Rizin champion Manel Kape, light heavyweight powerhouse Vitor Petrino and the always entertaining Adrian Yañez will all be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley takes place on Saturday, December 14, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Fighting, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Main Event: Colby Covington (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (171lbs)
    • Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cub Swanson (146lbs) vs. Billy Quarantillo (146lbs)
    • Flyweight: Manel Kape (125lbs) vs. Bruno Silva (126lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino (204.5lbs) vs. Dustin Jacoby (205.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Adrian Yañez (136lbs) vs. Daniel Marcos (136lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling (206lbs) vs. Tuco Tokkos (206lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson (156lbs) vs. Ottman Azaitar (156lbs)
    • Lightweight: Joel Álvarez (156lbs) vs. Drakkar Klose (156lbs)
    • Featherweight: Sean Woodson (145.5lbs) vs. Fernando Padilla (145.5lbs)
    • Featherweight: Miles Johns (146lbs) vs. Felipe Lima (146lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (126lbs) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (126lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Davey Grant (136lbs) vs. Ramon Taveras
    • Women’s Strawweight: Josefine Knutsson (116lbs) vs. Piera Rodriguez (116lbs)

  • Cub Swanson Wants An Apology From Joaquin Buckley: ‘People Need To Show Respect’

    Cub Swanson Wants An Apology From Joaquin Buckley: ‘People Need To Show Respect’

    Tensions are running high between welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley and UFC veteran Cub Swanson as both prepare for their respective fights at UFC Tampa this Saturday.

    Buckley is set to headline the event in a clash against Colby Covington, while Swanson will face Billy Quarantillo in the co-main event. With both fighters sharing the card, their simmering feud became a hot topic during media day.

    “I stand by what I said,” Swanson remarked when asked about the ongoing beef. “I don’t think the younger guys should be disrespecting the older guys. That’s just what I think. I believe the people who paved the way always deserve respect.

    “I’m sure I will [run into him], and I’m not going to back down from what I said,” Swanson continued. “I was a fan of his until he opened his mouth a little bit. I’ve got no ill will towards him, but, like I said, I think people need to show respect.”

    The animosity began when Buckley claimed he could knock out a prime Georges St-Pierre, a statement that struck a nerve with Swanson, a close friend and former teammate of the legendary welterweight and middleweight champion. “Killer” came to GSP’s defense, which prompted Buckley to respond with harsh words, including questioning the entirety of the veteran’s career.

    The situation escalated when Buckley referred to Swanson using derogatory language. This weekend’s co-headlined addressed this directly.

    “An apology for calling me a ‘ho,’ because that’s one thing I’m not,” he stated. “I’ve stayed true to myself, I’ve stayed true to who I am my entire career, so the name-calling was just a little over the line. But I was a fan of his until that moment.”

    Despite the friction, both fighters remain focused on their respective matchups, but the tension adds an extra layer of drama to an already highly anticipated UFC Tampa card.

  • Joaquin Buckley Expects To Leapfrog Rakhmonov For Next Title Shot With KO Over Covington

    Joaquin Buckley Expects To Leapfrog Rakhmonov For Next Title Shot With KO Over Covington

    The final UFC events of 2024 come with some big stakes attached for the welterweight division. Last weekend at UFC 310 in Las Vegas, Shavkat Rakhmonov cemented his status as the number one contender.

    In the battle of the undefeated 170-pounds in the co-main event on December 7, “Nomad” earned his first decision win to defeat Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry. Having been set to face Belal Muhammad for the title on this date until the champion withdrew, the two men shared a face-off inside the Octagon after Rakhmonov got his hand raised.

    UFC Tampa is up next where in the main event of the Octagon’s final stop of the year, Joaquin Buckley will look to continue his career-best form when he takes on the former interim champion, Colby Covington. “New Mansa” was originally set to face Garry on this card but against a returning Covington, he believes he still has the opportunity to shake up the division by making a statement.

    With a five-fight winning streak and the #9-ranking next to his name, Buckley told UFC.com in a recent interview that he believes he could insert himself into the title picture if he becomes just the second man to knockout “Chaos” at the Amalie Arena on Saturday night.

    “We saw the performance that Ian Garry and Shavkat put on, it wasn’t that fun to watch right. I feel like for me, it’s just like the performance that I’m gonna put on Colby Covington, I can probably take the opportunity to fight for the belt one day. Even though Shavkat earned his spot, sometimes things happen, some things fall out so with that being said, once I get a good knockout over Colby Covington, I feel like I’m next to fight for that belt.”

  • UFC 310: Vicente Luque Explains How Joaquin Buckley ‘Woke’ Him Up With Knockout

    UFC 310: Vicente Luque Explains How Joaquin Buckley ‘Woke’ Him Up With Knockout

    At UFC 310 this weekend, welterweight staple Vicente Luque will look to return to the win column by halting the winning streak of Themba Gorimbo. For the 33-fight veteran, defending his position in the rankings isn’t something that he’s used to but he was forced into this role in his last fight.

    In Atlantic City this past March, Luque came up against Joaquin Buckley who was looking to build on his back-to-back wins by earning his biggest victory to date. “New Mansa” did exactly that by stopping the Brazilian in the second round for the first of three breakout wins for him in 2024.

    During a recent interview with UFC.com ahead of his return in Las Vegas, Luque spoke about what he was able to learn and take from this fight and how that will benefit him against Gorimbo who has won his last four since losing his UFC debut.

    “Against Buckley, that was the first time I was in that position, and it was a fight for me to understand that it’s different. It was good for me to face Buckley and live that before I fight Themba because now I know what kind of energy I have to have in there.”

    He believes that unlike some of his recent matchups against the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Geoff Neal and Belal Muhammad, he needed to bring a different mentality with him into the Buckley fight. In his opinion, in order to beat the rising and hungry contenders in his division, he needs to match the fire that they bring into the Octagon.

    “Now when we’re fighting up-and-comers, I remember all the tenacity I brought into fights, and I’ve got to bring that back. Buckley woke me up to that.

    “I’ve got to go in there and really want it more than them; not just come in here and think my technique and my experience is gonna be enough.”

  • Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

    Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

    UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds between two of the top unbeaten talents at 170 pounds.

    While Rakhmonov was originally set to challenge for Belal Muhammad’s gold in the main event, an infection forced the champion’s withdrawal. With that, the Kazakh standout will have to defend his top contender spot opposite a former training partner.

    Betting odds currently have “Nomad” a signifcant favorite to do so, with his line sitting at -375 on DraftKings. The man who had his matchup with Garry fall through as a result of the recent shuffle, however, sees the underdog having his hand raised.

    During an interview with MiddleEasy, Buckley provided his thoughts on Garry’s new bout with Rakhmonov, which spoiled “New Mansa’s” plan to become the first to defeat the Irishman a week later in the UFC Tampa headliner.

    In recent bouts, “The Future” has been criticized for grinding out decision wins with a technical and safe approach. And Buckley expects the Dubliner to employ that exact strategy en route to an upset at UFC 310.

    “A lot of people are not going to believe me, but I think Ian Garry is going to win – by the skin of his teeth, just like the rest of his wins that he had,” Buckley said. “Whether that’s with ‘MVP’ or with Geoff Neal. He does a good job of staying safe and surviving, and if you don’t have the feet to kind of hunt down guys like that, where they’re constantly moving and constantly evading, and you set up traps.

    “Obviously, you’re not going to be able to land those power shots. … If you get in the fire with Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’re going to get burned,” Buckley continued. “But I don’t see Ian Garry running into that burning house. He’s going to try to flee and evade the whole time, and I can see Ian Garry getting his hand raised by decision.”

    Garry will look to prove Buckley’s prediction correct come fight night versus Rakhmonov in “Sin City” this weekend — thought perhaps in a more emphatic and impressive faction than the American is envisioning.

    “New Mansa,” meanwhile, has a new target in his sights for Dec. 14 in Tampa.

    The #9-ranked contender will still have the opportunity to climb the ranks, as he looks to add to the woes of Colby Covington following his third failed bid for the undisputed crown last December.

  • MMA Analyst Says Colby Covington Might Regret His Return Decision: ‘That’s A Different Buckley’

    MMA Analyst Says Colby Covington Might Regret His Return Decision: ‘That’s A Different Buckley’

    At UFC Tampa in the promotion’s final event of 2024, Colby Covington makes a somewhat unexpected return to face Joaquin Buckley in the main event on December 14. The former interim welterweight champion has been linked with a lot of different match-ups since his last fight against Leon Edwards in December of last year but none of them have come together.

    Covington will now be replacing Ian Machado Garry to take on the surging Buckley after Garry moved into the co-main event of UFC 310 to face Shavkat Rakhmonov. Though “New Mansa” is in the best form of his life right now, many see Buckley as a more winnable fight for Covington than some of the other names he has been linked with.

    For as good as his winning streak at welterweight has been, he’s got some losses on his record and in some of those, he was outwrestled which is where the former three-time title challenger could get his hand raised.

    Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy raised this point during a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast where they said that “Chaos” may be underestimating Buckley for this very reason. McCarthy spoke about why Covington has decided to come back for this fight in particular.

    “I look and I think Colby actually bit on this fight thinking ‘Alright, I’ve seen people out wrestle Buckley in the past and I can out wrestle him and take him down’. Now, that’s a different Buckley though too, Buckley’s a different fighter.”

    McCarthy also made reference to Buckley’s 2018 loss in Bellator to Logan Storley, using this as a comparison to his next match-up.

    “You can look at that and say well, Logan just outwrestled him and dropped him anytime he wanted and takedown stuff. Logan’s a better wrestler than Colby Covington ever was okay, sorry, and Buckley is way better now than he was back then.”

  • Henry Cejudo: ‘Predictable’ Colby Covington Could Get Stopped By Joaquin Buckley

    Henry Cejudo: ‘Predictable’ Colby Covington Could Get Stopped By Joaquin Buckley

    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo can envision Colby Covington falling to a losing skid courtesy of Joaquin Buckley next month.

    Covington is set to make his return to the Octagon a year on from his third failed bid at achieving undisputed champion status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After two setbacks opposite Kamaru Usman, the former interim titleholder most recently fell short against Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296. In the eyes of many, that loss marked the likely end of his pursuit of the welterweight mountaintop.

    “Chaos,” however, sees things differently. He’s vowed throughout the year to bounce back, secure another opportunity, and be crowned kingpin. And his first step toward that comes in a late-notice showdown with Buckley in Tampa.

    Covington is set to headline a UFC Fight Night close to home on Dec. 14, marking the final fight inside the Octagon of 2024. That was originally set be between Ian Garry and Buckley, but after the Irishman was drafted in to fight Shavkat Rakhnmonov at UFC 310 a week prior, Covington has stepped in to meet “New Mansa.”

    During an episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside fellow former UFC champion Usman, Cejudo commented on the new pairing set to close the show inside Amalie Arena.

    “Triple C” gave a disparaging assessment of Covington’s current game, suggesting that the “predictable” nature of it could lead to a knockout loss at the hands of the powerful Buckley.

    “The style that Colby Covington is doing is so predictable now,” Cejudo said. “The fact that they see him lose time and time again, whether it’s with Leon Edwards or yourself (Usman), it’s there. Once you stop Colby’s takedowns, things will fall into place.

    “Look at how Joaquin covers distance, bro. Double feints, dipping in to eventually stop a dude like ‘Wonderboy.’ So, I’m high on this kid. This kid is dangerous,” Cejudo continued. “I can see Colby Covington losing via stoppage to a guy like Joaquin Buckley, and I truly do believe that.”

    Buckley, the #9-ranked contender who is coming off a knockout win over Stephen Thompson, will look to prove Cejudo right by becoming only the second man to stop Covington with strikes after “Triple C’s” podcast co-host, Usman.

  • UFC Analyst Believes Colby Covington Was Pushed Into Buckley Fight: ‘You Got To Step Up!’

    UFC Analyst Believes Colby Covington Was Pushed Into Buckley Fight: ‘You Got To Step Up!’

    Following the major reshuffling of the cards that took place at welterweight, the former interim champion Colby Covington is set to return next month to face Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa.

    “Chaos” replaced Ian Machado Garry who in turn, replaced Belal Muhammad in order to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Covington and Garry have been going back-and-forth at several points throughout the year with the Irishman accusing, both before and after this fight was announced, the #6-ranked contender of ducking him.

    In three of Covington’s last five appearances inside the Octagon, three of them have been in welterweight title fights. He rebounded from both losses to Kamaru Usman by beating Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal before challenging Leon Edwards in his latest outing at UFC 296 last year where he was convincingly beaten over five rounds.

    Some fans weren’t happy to see Covington got the title shot against Edwards having not fought since his win over Masvidal in March of 2022 and that only increased following his disappointing performance against “Rocky”. When UFC analyst and fellow welterweight Michael Chiesa broke down this fight in an interview with Sportskeeda, he said that Buckley’s hunger is what wins him this fight.

    Chiesa believes that Covington was likely persuaded to take this fight by the UFC rather than it being an opportunity that he was biting their hand off for.

    “Buck, Buck all day. I think Joaquin Buckley is an incredible athlete, tremendous power, very, very hungry and that is the most important part in this match-up between Colby and Joaquin. Buckley is war more hungry than Colby Covington, I can tell you that much, like Buckley is chomping at the bit to fight anybody and everybody. 

    “I think that Colby, I don’t know, I have a feeling, I haven’t heard anything but I have a feeling that the UFC was like, ‘You have to take this fight. At some point, you got to step up.’ I know you kind of got to sweeten the pot with Colby to get him into the Octagon and get him competing but it’s got to the point where it’s like you fought for the title three times, you don’t get the extra flavor to your dish for taking a fight. It’s like you have to just start fighting if you want to get to a title. You can’t have any guarantees.”   

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

    Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

    After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining.

    Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing in the main event of UFC 310.

    Tha Kazakh star has instead been moved to the co-main event slot and will face fellow undefeated contender Ian Garry in a five-round, non-title fight.

    The UFC flyweight championship match between champion Alexandre Pantoja and his latest challenger, debutant Kai Asakura, has been promoted to the new UFC 310 main event.

    Furthermore, as a result of Garry competing at UFC 310, Colby Covington will be filling in for him in the UFC Tampa main event on Dec. 14 against the Irishman’s originally booked opponent, Joaquin Buckley.

    Garry Replaces Muhammad In UFC 310 Bout vs. Rakhmonov, Pantoja vs. Asakura Promoted To Main Event

    Rakhmonov became next in line for the welterweight title after his finish of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, as well as Muhammad’s title win against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. But “Nomad” will now have to put his shot on the line in a matchup with Garry.

    The Irish rising star has fought twice in 2024, earning decision wins over Geoff Neal in February and Michael “Venom” Page four months later.

    Garry and Covington, meanwhile, had been linked to face one another over the course of the last year due to intense hatred between the two seen across social media. “Chaos,” however, has previously stated that he does not feel “The Future” deserves a fight with him.

    Covington is also on the outside looking in of the welterweight title picture, having not fought since his own disappointing outing against Edwards at UFC 296 last year.

    Buckley, on the other hand, has won five straight, most recently knocking out “Wonderboy” at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City just last month.

  • Ian Garry Headlines UFC Tampa On Dec. 14, Misses Out On Colby Covington Fight

    Ian Garry Headlines UFC Tampa On Dec. 14, Misses Out On Colby Covington Fight

    UFC welterweight Ian Garry will be headlining the upcoming event in Tampa, but not against the opponent he was hoping for.

    Garry (15-0), a former Cage Warriors champion and the current #7-ranked UFC contender at 170 pounds, has been calling to clash with Covington ever since the American failed to win the undisputed title for the third time last December.

    The Irishman’s campaign for that matchup continued after he got the better of Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 this past June. In a recent update, Garry claimed to have even been sent an offer to fight Covington in the main event of UFC Fight Night Tampa next month.

    “The Future” put the hold-up down to the ex-interim champ, and should his claims be correct, the 36-year-old looks to have rejected the fight.

    On Friday, the UFC confirmed that Garry will indeed headline the event in Florida on Dec. 14. But instead of Covington, the Dubliner will do battle with Joaquin Buckley (20-6) to close out the promotion’s 2024 schedule.

    Garry’s International Fight Week triumph over Page marked his eighth straight since joining MMA’s leading promotion in 2021. His campaign this year started with a victory over Geoff Neal, who joined the likes of Daniel Rodriguez and Neil Magny on the Irishman’s résumé.

    Buckley, meanwhile, has been fast-charging since dropping to welterweight following an inconsistent period at 185 pounds. A 5-0 run that includes wins over Vicente Luque and Stephen Thompson has seen “New Mansa” vault into the top 10, and he’ll now look to stake his claim for a first championship opportunity by blemishing “The Future’s” record.

    The UFC Fight Night in Tampa will go down inside the Amalie Arena. The current fights expected to take place are as follows:

    • Ian Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley (welterweight main event)
    • Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas (women’s strawweight)
    • Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino (light heavyweight)
    • Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva (flyweight)
    • Tracy Cortez vs. Miranda Maverick (women’s flyweight)
    • Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo (featherweight)
    • Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar (lightweight)
    • Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yañez (bantamweight)
    • Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson (women’s strawweight)
    • Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos (light heavyweight)
    • Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras (bantamweight)
    • Drakkar Klose vs. Joel Álvarez (lightweight)
    • Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla (featherweight)
  • Joaquin Buckley Says Only Three Welterweights Ranked Above Him Would Accept A Fight

    Joaquin Buckley Says Only Three Welterweights Ranked Above Him Would Accept A Fight

    With a five-fight win streak since returning to the welterweight division, Joaquin Buckley now finds himself ranked inside the top 10 at 170-pounds. His latest win was also his biggest, stopping Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 307 to climb to the #9-spot.

    Now, Buckley is looking for another opponent that can put him into the title picture after beating the likes of Thompson, Nursulton Ruziboev and Vicente Luque. The issue he’s encountering is that many of the big names ahead of him are not interested in taking the fight.

    In order for Buckley to get within reach of a title shot, he will need another big name on his resume but that’s not possible if he can’t make this line up for him. In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Buckley was asked who he thinks would accept a fight with him that’s currently above him in the rankings.

    He struggled to think of too many examples, picking out three names in the end with one of them being the current champion.

    “Accept a fight? That’s a hard one. I believe the ones that are true fighters and true martial artists who would love to step into the cage with me are JDM (Jack Della Maddalena), is one of them… Damn, that’s kinda crazy, when I really start to think about it. Ian Garry probably… Belal Muhammad, that’s it bro. That’s it. When you talk about really wanna step in the cage with me, I don’t think there’s a lot of dudes that went to step in there with me.”

    Buckley then proceeded to list several names that he doesn’t think would agree to fight him, including Kamaru Usman who he called out after his most recent win.

    “Gilbert don’t want to step in there with me, Leon Edwards wouldn’t want to step in there with me, Colby Covington wouldn’t want to step in there with me. We see Usman didn’t want that work. Sean Brady blocked me from Instagram so he definitely don’t want to get the work. There’s not a lot of guys that’s willing to step in that cage with me, I’ll tell you that.”

  • Joaquin Buckley Open To Fighting Different Former Champ If Usman Rejects Callout

    Joaquin Buckley Open To Fighting Different Former Champ If Usman Rejects Callout

    Joaquin Buckley earned his biggest win to date at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City to extend his welterweight winning streak to five. “New Mansa” became just the second man to stop Stephen Thompson with strikes in the UFC after exploding forward in the third round.

    Buckley, who has been criticized for his post-fight call outs in the past, had one name in mind that seemed to go down well with the fans and media. He called to face former champion Kamaru Usman who has been inactive since his short notice bout with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last year.

    The #9-ranked contender hasn’t received the response that he would’ve wanted but fortunately for him, he has names other than Usman on his hit list.

    In a recent interview with Luke Thomas, Buckley gave his thoughts on the rest of the welterweight top ten where some big fights could be coming soon.

    After speaking about the upcoming title fight in his division at UFC 310, the former middleweight weighed in with his take on a potential fight between the undefeated Ian Machado Garry and the former interim champion Colby Covington.

    This is a fight that Garry was pushing for heavily at one stage but despite several replies from Covington, never got any closer to happen and as a result, “Chaos” hasn’t fought since his disappointing performance at UFC 296.

    Buckley said that due to the name and ranking that Covington still holds at 170-pounds, this is a fight that would interest him if the Usman match-up doesn’t happen. Thomas initially asked “New Mansa” whether in his opinion, Covington is “washed” at 26-years old considering his lack of activity.

    “That’s a question for him to answer to but my thing is, the last fight that he had was against Leon Edwards and that was about a year ago now, so time ain’t on nobody’s side. If you really want to show the world what you up to and what you’ve been doing and how you been working, you got to take a fight. I’m happy to find out myself too with Colby Covington if he ain’t got nothing lined up.”

  • Top 10 Welterweight Says Belal Muhammad’s Mindset, Preparation Key To Beating Rakhmonov

    Top 10 Welterweight Says Belal Muhammad’s Mindset, Preparation Key To Beating Rakhmonov

    Belal Muhammad is set to return at UFC 310 where he will put his welterweight title on the line for the first time against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The undefeated contender comes into December 7 as the favorite despite the champion’s own impressive winning streak.

    Rakhmonov’s ability to finish opponents is simply remarkable, with all 18 of his pro wins coming inside the distance. This, in a lot of people’s eyes, makes it an uphill battle for Muhammad who is not known for closing the show early.

    Where the champion excels in his approach and relentless drive to break opponents with his constant pressure and gas tank. His preparation and strategy is where a top welterweight contender believes this fight becomes competitive.

    Joaquin Buckley Says That Belal Muhammad’s Approach Is What Makes Him Competitive With Shavkat Rakhmonov

    In a recent interview with Luke Thomas, Joaquin Buckley gave his thoughts on the upcoming title fight in his division. The #9-ranked welterweight contender is coming off of a devastating finish over Stephen Thompson and could find himself in title talks with one more big win.

    Buckley said in his opinion, this fight is interesting because you know that Muhammad is going to come into Las Vegas with extensive homework and adjustments. “New Mansa” believes that this is at odds with the confidence of Rakhmonov who is not going to have the same approach of analyzing every detail.

    Muhammad’s ability to adapt to different opponents and choose the best path to victory is where Buckley feels that the champion has an advantage.

    “I think it’s a good fight and it’s only going to be a good fight because the way that Belal comes. Every time when he sets himself to fight an opponent, he prepares himself in the right way. Shavkat, I believe that he’s just the type of fighter that he believes just his talents and his gifts is going to take him as far as it’s been taking him now where he’s been finishing everybody.

    I don’t believe that Shavkat, in my personal opinion, is doing any film study on Belal or how he gonna beat him. Shavkat believes just in his head that him stepping in the cage with Belal is going to be good enough but I don’t think it’s going to be the other way around with Belal.

    I believe Belal is going to try to see what is going to be his best opportunities to take the fight where he needs to in order to get the decision.”

  • Joaquin Buckley Fires Back At Usman’s ‘Get In Line’ Advice

    Joaquin Buckley Fires Back At Usman’s ‘Get In Line’ Advice

    Joaquin Buckley recently retaliated against Kamaru Usman’s dismissive reaction to his callout for a potential matchup.

    Buckley secured the most significant victory of his career thus far with a stunning third-round knockout of former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 last weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    With this victory, “New Mansa” extended his winning streak to five fights and wasted no time calling out Usman during his post-fight interview, making it clear that he’s ready to enter the mix for title contention.

    However, earlier this week, in an episode of the Pound4Pound podcast, “The Nigerian Nightmare” brushed aside Buckley’s callout but left the door open for a potential fight down the line, stating, “Take a number and get in line.”

    Buckley Seeks Title Eliminator Match With Usman

    During a recent interview with Parry Punch, Buckley addressed Usman’s dismissal of his callout. “New Mansa” pointed out that, aside from the reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, no one else has stepped up to challenge Usman. However, even Muhammad has shifted his attention to his first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    “That’s the funny thing; who’s in line?” Buckley said. “The crazy part about Belal was, like, Usman doesn’t even deserve a title shot. Plus, he said Shavkat is an easier fight than Usman, and that’s what I believe the UFC is going to make: the Shavkat vs. Belal fight. The thing with Usman is nobody calls him out, and he’s still a great name. The last fight he had was with Khamzat [Chimaev], so it’s been a whole year. Come and get this word; come and get paid at least.”

    Buckley further emphasized that being a former champion doesn’t guarantee Usman an immediate title shot, especially after experiencing a string of losses. The 30-year-old Missouri native proposed that “The Nigerian Nightmare” should instead face him in a #1 contender’s bout.

    “Just because you’ve been a former champion and held the belt for a significant amount of time doesn’t give you the right to come back and say, ‘All right, I get to fight for the belt again.’ You’re still not accounting for those three losses you’ve had. So prove to the world that you still have the ability to fight for a belt. With me having five wins and three finishes right now in the goddamn welterweight division, I feel like you can sell that idea. If Kamaru Usman beats me, boom, he can fight for the title.”

    Usman is currently navigating the most challenging phase of his career, enduring a three-fight losing streak. The former UFC welterweight champion’s last appearance in the Octagon was at UFC 284 in October 2023, where he suffered a narrow majority decision defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in a welterweight matchup on short notice.

  • Joaquin Buckley Doubles Down On Kamaru Usman Callout

    Joaquin Buckley Doubles Down On Kamaru Usman Callout

    Joaquin Buckley is looking ahead after securing a decisive victory at UFC 307, where he knocked out former title challenger Stephen Thompson in the third round. The fight, held in Utah, extended Buckley’s flawless record in the welterweight division. Now he’s aiming even higher—specifically at former champion Kamaru Usman.

    Following his win, Buckley didn’t hesitate to call out Usman. During the post-fight press conference, he doubled down on his challenge, highlighting his 5-1 record in the division. Buckley believes that defeating Usman would not only solidify his reputation but also put him in line for a title shot.

    “(I’m) 5-0 in the welterweight division right now,” Buckley said (via MMA Junkie). “With the run I’m on, beating Usman, a former champion, will cement my name and prove I deserve a title shot.”

    Buckley’s Prediction

    Usman, who has lost his last three fights, has not competed since his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2022. Despite Usman’s recent struggles, Buckley remains confident in his chances, predicting a knockout victory if they face off.

    “I think I can knock out Usman. Immediately—yeah, immediately. Breaking records,” Buckley said.

  • ‘Get In Line’ – Kamaru Usman Laughs Off Joaquin Buckley’s UFC 307 Callout

    ‘Get In Line’ – Kamaru Usman Laughs Off Joaquin Buckley’s UFC 307 Callout

    Joaquin Buckley did the unthinkable at UFC 307 by becoming only the second fighter ever to knock out Stephen Thompson. He tried to grapple the veteran striker from the get-go. but “Wonderboy” could get back to his feet quickly every time.

    Based on the official scorecards, the third round would’ve decided the winner of the fight but Buckley sealed the deal with an overhand right. Interestingly, it was similar to the overhand superman punch Anthony Pettis landed to knock out Thompson five years ago.

    “New Mansa” called out Kamaru Usman after the victory but it seems like the former champ has no intentions of entertaining that fight…

    Kamaru Usman Admits Joaquin Buckley’s Calling Him Out At UFC 307 Was Better Than The Conor McGregor Callout

    In the latest Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry podcast, Henry Cejudo asked Usman about Buckley calling him out after the impressive KO win at UFC 307. The American fighter is now 5-0 at welterweight and is clearly riding an impressive win streak.

    However, “The Nigerian Nightmare” outright laughed at the callout and asked Buckley to get in line since the latter’s not the only welterweight to call out the former kingpin recently.

    “Take a number and get in line! I believe he’s probably, what, the 10th, 11th guy? I don’t know how many guys have called me out. It is what it is. It’s obviously, like DC said, it’s a more reasonable callout for him because he is on the streak. He’s been doing good work inside there. I believe he was losing that fight and it was just a way to be relentless and find the shot, eventually, to get that finish. So, you know, hats off to him.”

    However, Usman gave Buckley his props for winning against “Wonderboy” in the best way possible. He also agreed with Daniel Cormier that this was a much more sensible callout than his last fight.

    From the looks of it, Buckley will have to yet again wait for his dream opponent. A couple more memorable wins would make him an undeniable title challenger, though.

  • Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson and Joaquin Buckley fought in the UFC 307 prelims and after two competitive rounds, “Wonderboy” was knocked out in the third. This was just the second KO/TKO loss of his career.

    Interestingly, Buckley took out Thompson with a leaping overhand right preceded by a literal jump. Five years ago, Anthony Pettis launched himself with the help of the cage and knocked out the Karate specialist with a similar bouncing superman punch.

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger was doing great until he wasn’t, though. Here’s what he said after the crushing KO loss at UFC 307…

    Stephen Thompson Looks Back At First KO Loss To Anthony Pettis As Joaquin Buckley Used A Similar Technique At UFC 307

    “Wonderboy” took to Twitter recently to discuss his second UFC loss in a row. He admitted to not remembering how he got to the hotel and was humble in defeat as usual.

    The veteran simply wanted to thank the fans for their continued support. Salt Lake City is known for its energetic crowd which, contrary to many other venues, shows up even before the main card begins. UFC 307 was no different, and Thompson seemed delighted with the fans cheering during his walkout.

    The American fighter also pointed out that both KO losses in his career resulted from overhand rights. While Pettis used the Octagon to gain momentum, Buckley backed up “Wonderboy” against the cage to land the knockout punch.

    “Just got back to the hotel, although we don’t know how I got here. But again, I get knocked out by an overhand. Once by Pettis, either on the cage or off the cage. Either way, it is what it is. I want to say thank you to all of my fans. You guys really showed out for me as I walked out there. You guys have shown me so much support over the years and I really do appreciate it.”

    Based on the scorecards revealed later, it seems like the third round would’ve decided the outcome of the fight. Derek Cleary had it 19-19 going into the third while Sal D’Amato and Stephen Faragher had it 20-18 for Buckley and Thompson, respectively.

  • VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    Joaquin Buckley earned his biggest win to date at UFC 307 as he stopped Stephen Thompson in dramatic fashion in the third round.

    “New Mansa” extended his winning streak in the welterweight division to five after becoming the second man to finish “Wonderboy” with strikes in the UFC.

    After many in the community had Buckley down two rounds following a vintage performance from Thompson — only one judge agreed, with the others having it 19-19 and 20-18 Buckley entering the final frame — the 30-year-old threw everything he had into a big leaping right hand that landed clean against the fence, ending the fight instantly.

    In his post-fight interview, Buckley called to face former champion Kamaru Usman, who has been out of action since his late-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last October.

    Buckley Stops Thompson In Display Of Explosive Power At UFC 307

    Buckley was able to turn the tide of the fight with one big shot. Now, he will likely compete in a big matchup toward the top of the ladder next time out amid his win streak at 170 pounds.

    Check out the highlight reel finish below, as Buckley teed up the main card in Salt Lake City perfectly.

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1842745719347704013
  • Joaquin Buckley Talks ‘Kinship’ With Impa Kasanganay & PFL Success After Suffering Viral Knockout

    Joaquin Buckley Talks ‘Kinship’ With Impa Kasanganay & PFL Success After Suffering Viral Knockout

    Joaquin Buckley recently lavished praise on Impa Kasanganay for his remarkable career resurgence following a devastating viral knockout loss.

    Buckley and Kasanganay faced off at a Fight Night event in October 2020, but for ‘Tshilobo,’ his second appearance in the Octagon turned out to be disastrous. In the second round, he found himself on the receiving end of a spectacular jump spin kick to the face, resulting in a jaw-dropping knockout.

    Following the setback, the 30-year-old Florida man, with a mix of one win and one loss, exited the UFC. Kasanganay then embarked on a brief journey through smaller promotions before ultimately finding his home in the PFL in March 2023.

    After racking up three impressive victories, he secured the PFL’s light heavyweight title and a $1 million prize in the 2023 league tournament. Kasanganay currently boasts an 8-1 record in the PFL, with his sole defeat coming by way of a narrow split decision against the undefeated Johnny Eblen this past February at the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event.

    Despite the outcome, “New Mansa” and Kasanganay forged a strong friendship, and Buckley now has nothing but glowing remarks about his former opponent’s success.

    Buckley Says Kasanganay Transformed His Memorable Loss Into Launchpad For Success

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, Buckley was prompted to share his thoughts on Kasanganay’s achievements following his departure from the UFC. “New Mansa” expressed high admiration for Kasanganay’s abilities, revealing that the former PFL champion transformed his devastating loss into a powerful source of motivation, propelling his career forward.

    “Of course [I feel a kinship with him], no hate in my blood,” Buckley said. “I love what Impa was able to do; he didn’t dwell on that moment; he used that moment, and he let it fuel him. He let it push him. A lot of people will talk about whatever they want to say about his skill set because he fought me, but he’s a very talented fighter, if not a world-class fighter because he’s a world champion… Yet again for me, it also gives me a lot of light because, you know, I was able to beat a great fighter like that.”

    Buckley is preparing for his third appearance in the Octagon this year, as he is set to face Stephen Thompson in a welterweight clash on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated event will take place this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “New Mansa” is currently on a tear, having achieved a three-fight win streak after dropping down to the 170-pound division in May 2023.

    • Read More:

  • Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Camera…’

    Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Camera…’

    Eleventh-ranked welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is usually not too far away from getting into a beef with a fellow fighter.

    However, this looked to be a difficult task for his next fight, considering the ‘nice guy’ public perception of Stephen Thompson.

    “Wonderboy” is widely regarded to be one of the kindest fighters on the roster and has rarely been seen to lose his cool, even in the midst of a fist-fight.

    Buckley isn’t convinced by this representation of Thompson, though, and believes that the welterweight stalwart isn’t who people think he is.

    With the two men set to meet inside the Octagon on October 5, he voiced his opinions on his opponent’s supposed persona.

    Joaquin Buckley Says Stephen Thompson Isn’t Who Fans Think He Is

    Ahead of their meeting at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Buckley spoke about his previous interactions with Thompson.

    The two men crossed paths at International Fight Week early this year, where “New Mansa” believes that he saw a different side to the striking specialist.

    In an interview with Inside Fighting, he spoke about how in his opinion, Thompson is a different person when he knows that people are watching.

    “Nothing crazy, yet again, I’m just trying to push him to make the fight happen but I really feel like, you know, at the end of the day, with me and ‘Wonderboy’, it is what it is. I try to be myself no matter where I go but I feel like, for me, it’s just that ‘Wonderboy’ is the type of individual that yet again, when you got him on camera, he’s smiling in your face, he’s saying nice things but at the end of the day, it’s the fight biz’ so you know, however he made me feel that day, I don’t think it was the nice guy that everybody mentions.”

    Read also: Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

  • Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

    Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

    Joaquin Buckley is fighting in the UFC 307 prelims against Stephen Thompson. The welterweight matchup is expected to be a back-and-forth striking brawl, leaving many disappointed it didn’t make it to the main card.

    With four straight wins in the welterweight division, Buckley is aiming to secure a title shot as quickly as possible. A win over “Wonderboy” would undoubtedly boost and place him in the top 10.

    The current title challenger at welterweight is most likely Shavkat Rakhmonov, though. As per Buckley, the undefeated prospect with a 100% finish rate is not as skilled as fans believe and will be soundly beaten by Belal Muhammad…

    Joaquin Buckley Claims His Wins Over Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Teammates Are Why “Nomad” Ducked Him

    Buckley appeared in an interview on the Inside Fighting YouTube channel and discussed his next fight alongside the state of the UFC welterweight division.

    “New Mansa” gave the new welterweight kingpin his props, appreciating his work ethic and long road to the title. However, he’s not a fan of Rakhmonov, who’s potentially Muhammad’s first defense.

    Buckley revealed he offered to fight “Nomad” when Jack Della Maddalena had to pull out, but the offer was declined. He also boasts wins over members of the Kill Cliff FC team, where Rakhmonov trains.

    The welterweight compared Rakhmonov’s durability to early Vicente Luque but expects the hype to fade once the Kazakh fighter faces elite competition like Muhammad.

    “Because he knew there was a risk that I beat the majority of his teammates that he trains with. That yes, that we got the number on the whole Kill Cliff can over there. So, I just don’t think Shavkat is as good as people claim. But you know, I feel like he definitely going to get exposed eventually, you know. If that’s not by me, that’s definitely going to be by Belal.”

    For now, Buckley’s focus is on getting past a tough veteran in “Wonderboy”, a nightmare for most fighters on the feet.

  • Stephen Thompson Reacts To Being On UFC 307 Prelims After Fighting On Main Cards For A Decade Straight

    Stephen Thompson Reacts To Being On UFC 307 Prelims After Fighting On Main Cards For A Decade Straight

    Stephen Thompson was hoping to take on Joaquin Buckley in a five-rounder at UFC 307. He is the second-oldest member of the UFC roster behind Stipe Miocic but was expecting to have the edge in cardio against Buckley, who is 30.

    The veteran is known for his Karate-inspired stance and crisp striking that often produces exciting matches. Many predict that Buckley won’t try to grapple with “Wonderboy” to a decision unlike past opponents, generating a ton of hype for the welterweight matchup.

    However, Thompson’s wish for a five-rounder has become a far-fetched dream because his fight has been demoted to the UFC 307 prelims. While the rising prospect expects this to be his last free fight for the fans, Thompson is rather disappointed…

    Stephen Thompson Believes His UFC 307 Bout Against Joaquin Buckley Could Have Replaced Other Fights On The Main Card

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RDauugAV1A&t=592s

    Thompson recently appeared in an interview on the Bodog Canada YouTube channel to discuss his upcoming bout and other UFC-related matters. He believes that his next fight should be a banger because Buckley’s been keen to stand and trade with him.

    The likes of Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Gilbert Burns used their superior grappling to dominate “Wonderboy” which helped them gain ranks but didn’t please the fans. On the other hand, Kevin Holland and Thompson delivered an instant classic as the former didn’t take the fight to the ground despite getting pieced up on the feet.

    “A little weird at this point, knowing what kind of a fight this is going to be. You’d figure that they’d want to have all eyes on it. Now I’m not sure if it was because, you know, the last time I was supposed to fight in Salt Lake City my opponent didn’t make weight. But, Joaquin Buckely is notorious for making weight so I know he’s going to be a professional and we’re going to go out there and have fun but yeah, it was a little disappointing like what’s going on.”

    “Wonderboy” was reminded in the interview that he last fought on the prelims on September 22, 2013, against Chris Clements. After eleven long years, he’s back to fighting on the prelims which is unsurprisingly a bummer for the veteran who never backs down to face young challengers looking to climb the welterweight rankings.

    The American kickboxer, being the NMF, didn’t name names but stated that his fight could’ve been picked over some fights on the UFC 307 main card. Regardless, he and Buckley have promised to give fans a thrilling battle and prove why they deserved to be on the main card.

    “It’s wild. I don’t know why they put that on the card. I mean, there’s some fights on the main card that I think should be on the prelims but you know, it is what it is.”