Joaquin Buckley Demands New Contract Before He Makes His UFC Return

Joaquin Buckley is itching to get back in the octagon so that he can return to winning ways. However, the 31-year-old has stated in a recent interview that he would place certain conditions before the UFC brass, before they book his next fight, if things don’t go his way.

The now No. 9-ranked 170-pounder’s surge was halted last year by former champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta. The 38-year-old used his wrestling to shut down Buckley’s striking prowess and dragged the latter to the mat. “New Mansa” found no way to get up and land a fight-ending blow to get his hand raised and lost by decision.

In 2026, “New Mansa” repeatedly called out Shavkat Rakhmonov for a fight. However, most recently, “Nomad” was removed from the rankings after he injured the same knee that kept him sidelined for more than a year.

Earlier this week, Buckley voiced frustration at the 170-pound division’s hotshots for staying inactive. He wants to fight a top contender next and is staying ready, as his recent training footage suggests. He also called out Jack Della Maddalena, opining that a fight with “JDM” would be “good money.”

“If I can get anybody active, I’d say JDM. Me and JDM would be good money. It ain’t because of where he is placed on the rankings, as No.1. But I think me and JDM, stylistically, we’re just meant, fireworks. And I’m sure because of what we both went through, getting held down… I think we’d be good work and we would be satisfied with the work we put on once we fight each other.”

Check out Joaquin Buckley’s comments below:

Joaquin Buckley Demands New Contract

In a recent interview with Parry Punch, Joaquin Buckley said he wants to fight someone ranked above him next and still has his crosshairs on Jack Della Maddalena. “New Mansa” is open to facing a lower-ranked opponent if that is what the matchmakers serve on the plate.

However, if Buckley has to fight any opponent ranked below him, he wants to have a new contract before that fight. The UFC signed a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, and Buckley wants to make the most out of that and get fatter checks. He said:

“I’m looking to get a new deal. You know what I’m saying? In order for myself to see myself in a position where I’m able to work towards a world title. Um, and it would only make sense if I’m not fighting of anybody of name caliber, that if I fight somebody down the rankings that I should fight for a new deal and that’d be my reward.”

Check out Joaquin Buckley’s comments below (7:45):